URINARY SYSTEM

(Laboratory)
Human Histology (HHIS 221)
College of Medical Laboratory Science
Our Lady of Fatima University-Valenzuela
Learning Objectives:
• At the end of the laboratory session, the
learners will be able to:
• Distinguish the key microscopic
components of the renal cortex and
medulla
• Identify the structural components of the
nephron
• Describe the structure of the surface
across which filtration occurs
• Identify and distinguish the proximal
tubule, distal tubule, and collecting duct
• Identify the component cells of the
juxtaglomerular apparatus
• Name the important histological
characteristics of the ureter, bladder, and
urethra
• Describe some key pathological
conditions associated with the kidney
PRE – LAB : INTRODUCTION
• The urinary system is comprised of the
kidney, ureter, urinary bladder, and
urethra.
• The kidney produces urine, which
contains excess water, electrolytes and
waste products of the body.
• It then flows down the ureter into the
bladder where it is temporarily stored.
• The bladder is then emptied via the
urethra.
KIDNEY

The kidney has several important homeostatic, hormonal, and metabolic

functions that include:

•The maintenance of water and electrolyte homeostasis

•Regulation of acid-base balance in conjunction with the respiratory system

•Excretion of metabolic waste products, especially the toxic nitrogenous

compounds

•Production of renin for blood pressure control and erythropoietin, which

stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow

•Conversion of vitamin D into active form for the regulation of calcium

balance
KIDNEY

• The kidney is composed of an outer cortex and inner

medulla.
• Portions of the medulla extend into the cortex as the
medullary rays, collections of straight renal tubules.
• The medulla contains multiple cone-shaped lobes, known as
medullary pyramids.
• These urinary lobes are fused in the cortex.
• The urine drains into the renal pelvis, which is the initial part
of the ureter.
• The hilum of the kidney is the site of entry and exit for renal
artery, renal vein, and ureter.
NEPHRON

The nephron is the structural and functional unit of the kidney.

There are about two million nephrons in each kidney. Nephrons
begin in the cortex; the tubules dip down to the medulla, then
return to the cortex before draining into the collecting duct. The
collecting ducts then descend towards the renal pelvis and
empty urine into the ureter.

The components of a single nephron include:

•renal corpuscle
•proximal convoluted tubule
•loop of Henle
•distal convoluted tubule
NEPHRON

Different sections of nephrons are located in different parts of the

kidney:

•The cortex contains the renal corpuscle, proximal, and distal convoluted
tubules.

•The medulla and medullary rays contain the loops of Henle and collecting
ducts.

Throughout the length of the nephron, capillaries called peritubular

capillaries lie adjacent to all segments of the tubule. They originate from the
efferent arteriole and are important for solute transport throughout the
tubule.
RENAL CORPUSCLE

The renal corpuscle is responsible for the filtration of the

plasma. It contains two structures: the glomerulus and
Bowman's capsule. The glomerulus is a cluster of capillary
loops enclosed by Bowman's capsule, which is part of the renal
tubule.

Bowman's capsule has two layers:

•The visceral layer is in contact with the glomerulus, and is

composed of specialized epithelial cells known as podocytes.
•The parietal layer is the outer layer, and is composed of
simple squamous epithelial cells. This layer is continuous with
the epithelium of the proximal convoluted tubule.
RENAL CORPUSCLE

• The space between the two layers is named Bowman's space, and this
space contains the ultrafiltrate of plasma. The plasma has to pass through
a filtration barrier of three layers to enter Bowman's space: the capillary
endothelium, the podocyte layer, and their fused basement
membrane. Bowman's space is continuous with the proximal convoluted
tubule.

• Blood enters the renal corpuscle via afferent arterioles and then leaves
via efferent arterioles. The part of renal corpuscle where afferent and
efferent arterioles are located is known as the vascular pole. On the
opposite end of the vascular pole is where the renal tubule begins and is
known as the urinary pole.

• Mesangial cells can also be found within the glomerulus. These cells
secrete a matrix of basement membrane-like material to support the
structure of the glomerulus.
PROXIMAL CONVOLUTED TUBULE

• The proximal convoluted tubule is the first segment of renal tubule. It

begins at the urinary pole of the glomerulus.

• This is where the majority (65%) of the glomerular filtrate is reabsorbed.

• The convoluted portion of the tubule leads into a straight segment that
descends into the medulla within a medullary ray and becomes the loop
of Henle.
LOOP OF HENLE

• The loop of Henle forms a hair-pin structure that dips down into the
medulla.
• It contains four segments: the pars recta (the straight descending limb
of proximal tubule), the thin descending limb, the thin ascending
limb, and the thick ascending limb.
• The turn of the loop of Henle usually occurs in the thin segment within the
medulla, and the tubule then ascends toward the cortex parallel to the
descending limb.
• The end of the loop of Henle becomes the distal convoluted tubule near
its original glomerulus.
• The loops of Henle run in parallel to capillary loops known as the vasa
recta.
• Recall from Physiology that the loop of Henle serves to create high
osmotic pressure in the renal medulla via the counter-current multiplier
system. Such high osmotic pressure is important for the reabsorption of
water in the later segments of the renal tubule.
DISTAL CONVOLUTED TUBULE

• The distal convoluted tubule is shorter and less convoluted than the
proximal convoluted tubule.

• Further reabsorption and secretion of ions occur in this segment.

• The initial segment of the distal convoluted tubule lies right next to the
glomerulus and forms the juxtaglomerular apparatus.
JUXTAGLOMERULAR APPARATUS

The juxtaglomerular apparatus is a specialized structure formed by the distal

convoluted tubule and the glomerular afferent arteriole. It is located near the vascular
pole of the glomerulus. The main function of the apparatus is the secretion of renin,
which regulates systemic blood pressure via the renin-angiotensin-alodosterone
system.

The juxtaglomerular apparatus is composed of:

•The macula densa, a collection of specialized epithelial cells of the distal convoluted
tubule. These cells are enlarged as compared to surrounding tubular cells. The cells
of the macula densa sense sodium chloride concentration in the tubule, which in turn
reflects the systemic blood pressure.
•The juxtaglomerular cells of the afferent arterioles, which are responsible for
secreting renin. These cells are derived from smooth muscles cells of afferent
arterioles.
•The extraglomerular mesangial cells, which are flat and elongated cells located
near the macula densa. Their function is currently unclear.
COLLECTING DUCTS

• The terminal portion of the distal tubule empties through collecting

tubules into a straight collecting duct in the medullary ray.

• The collecting duct system is under the control of antidiuretic hormone

(ADH).

• When ADH is present, the collecting duct becomes permeable to water.

• The high osmotic pressure in the medulla (generated by the counter-

current multiplier system/loop of Henle) then draws out water from the
renal tubule, back to vasa recta.
RENAL PELVIS AND URETER

• Numerous collecting ducts merge into the renal pelvis, which then
becomes the ureter.

• The ureter is a muscular tube, composed of an inner longitudinal layer

and an outer circular layer.

• The lumen of the ureter is covered by transitional epithelium (also called

urothelium).

• Recall from the Laboratory on Epithelia that the transitional epithelium is

unique to the conducting passages of the urinary system. Its ability to
stretch allows the dilation of the conducting passages when necessary.

• The ureter connects the kidney and the urinary bladder.

URINARY BLADDER

• The ureter empties the urine into the bladder.

• The transitional epithelium continues over the surface of this organ.

• The thickened muscular layers become interwoven and cannot be clearly

identified at this point.
URETHRA

• The urethra carries the urine away from the bladder to the
outside of the body.

• In the male, it is joined by the genital system.

• The epithelium changes from transitional to stratified or

pseudostratified columnar in the urethra, and to stratified
squamous in the distal end of the urethra.
SLIDES TO REVIEW
Kidney
 Kidney
Kidneys filter blood and produce urine.
Cortex - darker outer region.
• Renal Corpuscles - spherical structures that form ultrafiltrate from blood.
• Cortical labyrinths - regions between renal corpuscles and medullary rays
that contain proximal and distal convoluted tubules.
• Medullary rays - projections of tubules between the cortex and medulla that
contains straight tubules and collecting ducts.
•Medulla - lighter inner region.
• Pyramids - equal to the number of lobes and form conical structures whose
base faces the cortex and their apex form the renal papilla. Urine passes
through the minor calyx which is cup-shaped structure that is an extension of
the renal pelvis.
• Renal pelvis - funnel-shaped origin of the ureter.
•Arcuate Arteries - branches of interlobular arteries that form an arcade over the
pyramids at the junction of the cortex and medulla.
•Hilum - concave surface with a deep fissure in which vessels enter and exit the
kidney.
Renal Corpuscle
 Renal Corpuscle
Renal Corpuscle
This is an H&E-stained image of the glomerulus.
Identify the mesangial cells of the glomerulus and the
podocytes of the visceral layer of Bowman’s capsule.
Identify the squamous epithelial cells of the parietal
layer. Note that the parietal layer is continuous with
the cells of the proximal convoluted tubule and the
epithelium changes from squamous to cuboidal. The
cells of the proximal convoluted tubule also have fine
brush border on their apical surface.
Renal Corpuscle
 Renal Corpuscle
In this image toluidine blue was used to stain the glomerulus.
Toluidine blue stains nucleic acids and polysaccharides blue
or purple and is effective for labeling the basement membrane
in the glomerulus. Begin by identifying the visceral layer and
parietal layers of Bowman’s capsule. These two layers are
formed from one continuous sheet of cells that differ in
structure and function. The parietal layer comprises Bowman's
capsule and the cells are squamous, whereas the visceral
layer is composed of the podocytes that have a more cuboidal
shape and play a role in filtration of blood. Note how the
podocytes lie between the capillaries and Bowman's space.
Mesangial cells are responsible for synthesizing the basement
membrane-like material that supports the structure of the
glomerulus. They can be easily identified by their prominent
nuclei within the glomerulus.
Podocyte (TEM)
 Podocyte (TEM)
Podocytes are specialized epithelial cells that
separate the network of capillaries in the glomerulus
from Bowman's space. Podocytes extend processes
that surround the capillaries. These processes form
secondary processes called foot processes. The foot
processes associate with the basement membrane
opposite from the endothelial cells of the capillaries.
Podocyte (SEM)
 Podocyte (SEM)

The scanning EM demonstrates the branched

structure of podocytes and how foot processes of
adjacent podocytes interface to form filtration slits
around a capillary.
Filtration Barrier
 Filtration Barrier
The filtration barrier of the glomerulus consists of a fenestrated
capillary epithelium with a negatively charged surface that repels
many plasma proteins. Note that in contrast to fenestrated
epithelia in other parts of the body, the fenestrae in the kidney
lack a diaphragm. Beneath the capillary epithelium is a thick
basement membrane that is also negatively charged. The foot
processes of the pododcytes form the final barrier. Note the slit
diaphragm between the foot processes. These play a role in
filtration of plasma as mutations in genes that encode proteins of
slit diaphragms lead to proteinuria. What would happen if the
basement membrane lost its negative charge?
Proximal Convoluted Tubule
 Proximal Convoluted Tubule
The proximal convoluted tubule is the site where
majority (65%) of ions and water in the urinary space
is reabsorbed back into the body. The cells of the
proximal convoluted tubule have a deeply stained,
eosinophilic cytoplasm. The cells are large so that in
cross section not every nucleus will be visible, making
it appear that the proximal convoluted tubule has
fewer nuclei than other tubules. The cells also have
an apical brush border to increase their surface area.
Loop of Henle
 Loop of Henle
Periodic acid-Schiff Staining (PAS). The thick
descending limbs of the loop of Henle look similar to
the proximal tubule, with apical brush borders. The
thick ascending limbs are composed of cuboidal cells,
but unlike the proximal convoluted tubule, they do not
have apical brush borders. Collecting ducts can also
be seen on this slide. They can be easily distinguished
by the presence of prominent lateral borders between
adjacent cells.
Distal Convoluted Tubule
 Distal Convoluted Tubule
The cells of the distal convoluted tubule are smaller and
more lightly stained than those of the proximal
convoluted tubule. Consequently, more nuclei are
apparent in a cross section of distal convoluted tubule
compared to proximal convoluted tubule. Distal
convoluted tubules also lack a brush border on their
apical surface. Note that in any given section of the
kidney cortex, much less space is occupied by distal
convoluted tubules as compared to proximal convoluted
tubules. This is simply because the distal convoluted
tubule is shorter and less convoluted.
Juxtaglomerular Apparatus
 Juxtaglomerular Apparatus
The juxtaglomerular apparatus is a specialized structure formed by
the distal convoluted tubule and the glomerular afferent arteriole. It is
located near the vascular pole of the glomerulus and its main
function is to regulate blood pressure and the filtration rate of the
glomerulus. The macula densa is a collection of specialized epithelial
cells in the distal convoluted tubule that detect sodium concentration
of the fluid in the tubule. In response to elevated sodium, the macula
densa cells trigger contraction of the afferent arteriole, reducing flow
of blood to the glomerulus and the glomerular filtration rate. The
juxtaglomerular cells, derived from smooth muscle cells, of the
afferent arteriole secrete renin when blood pressure in the arteriole
falls. Renin increases blood pressure via the renin-angiotensin-
aldosterone system. Lacis cells, also called extraglomerular
mesangial cells, are flat and elongated cells located near the macula
densa. Their function remains unclear.
Collecting Ducts
 Collecting Ducts
The terminal portion of the distal tubule empties through
collecting tubules into a straight collecting duct in the medullary
ray. Collecting ducts can be differentiated from other tubules by
the prominent lateral borders of the epithelial cells. The
collecting duct system is under the control of antidiuretic
hormone (ADH). When ADH is present, the collecting duct
becomes permeable to water. The high osmotic pressure in the
medulla (generated by the counter-current multiplier
system/loop of Henle) then draws out water from the renal
tubule, back to vasa recta. How does ADH increase the
permeability of the collecting ducts to water?
Renal Pelvis
 Renal Pelvis
This region of the kidney is named the renal papilla.
Urine in the collecting ducts eventually empties into
the renal pelvis here. Renal pelvis is the initial
dilated portion of ureter. It is characterized by a
transitional epithelium, which allows it to stretch.
Ureter
 Ureter

The ureter is a muscular tube, composed of an inner

longitudinal layer and an outer circular layer of smooth
muscle. The lumen of the ureter is covered by transitional
epithelium (also called urothelium). Recall from the Laboratory
on Epithelia that the transitional epithelium is unique to the
conducting passages of the urinary system. Its ability to
stretch allows the dilation of the conducting passages when
necessary. The ureter connects the kidney and the urinary
bladder.
Urinary Bladder
 Urinary Bladder

The urinary bladder is lined by transitional

epithelium, underneath which are thick layers of
smooth muscle interwoven in various directions.
This image shows a relaxed bladder where the
epithelial cells appear cuboidal. In a distended
bladder the epithelial cells are stretched and
become more squamous.
What cells secrete the supporting matrix of this structure?

Answer: mesangial cells