Essentials of Clinical Nephrology (Shorouk Press, Cairo, 2000, ISBN ...

2. The epithelioid cells which are modified cells in the wall of the afferent and
to less extent efferent arterioles.
3. The lacis cells which are interstitial cells in continuity with mesangial cells.
4. The peripolar cells which are present at the vascular pole of the
glomerulus, separating the podocytes from the flat parietal epithelial cells
of Bowman's capsule. More details about JGA will be given on discussing
renovascular hypertension (Page 316).
Proximal convoluted tubule:
Is the longest segment of the nephron, lined by a single layer of cells
with prominent brush border towards the lumen. The basal part of these cells
contains large mitochondria which are important for the high reabsorptive
activity of these cells.
Loop of Henle:
Morphologically and according to the type of epithelial cells covering it,
loop of Henle can be divided into thick descending limb, thin descending limb,
then thin ascending limb and the thick ascending limb. The loops of Henle of
superficial and middle cortical nephrons are short while those of deep cortical
and corticomedullary junction nephrons are long and go deep in the medulla
to reach renal papillae before they ascend up. These later loops are arranged
in bundles in association with the collecting ducts and vasa recta (all are
participating in the counter current system). Since the morphology of these
segments is different, their function is also different.
Distal nephron:
Begins with distal convoluted tubule which starts at juxta-glomerular
apparatus and end at the renal papilla. Morphologically and functionally, this
can be sub-divided into:
A. Distal convoluted tubule with its early part somewhat similar to the
proximal convoluted tubule and distal part is similar to the cortical
collecting tubule.
B. Cortical part of collecting tubule.
C. Medullary part of collecting tubule.
D. Papillary part of the collecting tubule.