Renal medulla

This image includes thin segments of loops of Henle and medullary blood vessels (containing red blood cells). 

Because both are lined by simple squamous epithelium, vessels and loops can be difficult to distinguish. 

• Note that epithelial cells lining the loops are often conspicuously rounded in the vicinity of the nucleus, not as flat as vascular endothelium.
• Medullary blood vessels may sometimes be distinguished by the presence red blood cells as well as by a an endothelial lining which may be lower (flatter) than the tubular epithelium.

Click on a thumbnail at left for a lower-magnification view of this region.

Click on the thumbnail at right for comparison of tubules higher in the medulla.

 

Comments and questions: dgking@siu.edu

SIUC / School of Medicine / Anatomy / David King

https://histology.siu.edu/crr/RN010b.htm
Last updated:  30 May 2022 / dgk