Findings

At higher power, the renal medulla shows collecting tubules and thick descending and ascending portions of the loops of Henle with simple cuboidal epithelium, and cross-sectional profiles of the thin loops of Henle with simple squamous epithelium. Scattered throughout the loose connective tissue of the renal interstitium are capillary profiles of the peritubular vascular network called the vasa recta.

Comment

Note that the epithelium of the collecting duct in the center of the image appears taller, almost columnar. This is due the tangential section through this duct.

Preparation

Paraffin section, hematoxylin and eosin

View

Medium-power light microscopy

Specimen

Renal medulla

Image Credit

V. Eroschenko, Ph.D.
Department of Biological Sciences
WAMI Medical Program
University of Idaho