Findings

In this low-power view of the renal medulla, profiles of collecting ducts, thick and thin portions of loops of Henle and the vasa recta are seen.

Comment

Note that in this image, the collecting ducts and thick portions of the loops of Henle are lined by simple cuboidal epithelium. The thin portions of the loops of Henle are lined by simple squamous epithelium that also lines the blood vessels called the vasa recta. These two are distinguished by the presence of erythrocytes in the latter.

Preparation

Paraffin section, hematoxylin and eosin

View

Low-power light microscopy

Specimen

Renal medulla

Image Credit

Katsumi M. Miyai, M.D., Ph.D
Department of Pathology
School of Medicine
University of California, San Diego