The cortex of the kidney is distinguished by characteristic renal corpuscles, each of which consists of an outer envelope (Bowman's capsule) surrounding a fluid-filled space (Bowman's space) within which is suspended a glomerulus (glom).
Note that fixation of this specimen is not ideal, such that some epithelial cells have become detached from their underlying basement membrane.
The PAS stain accentuates the filtration membrane, the mesangial matrix, and the basement membrane of renal tubules and Bowman's capsule.
Although the glomerulus in this image clearly contains many cells with varied appearances, their individual identities as endothelial cells, podocytes, or mesangial cells are difficult to determine reliably on relatively thick-sectioned specimens such as this.
Thinner sections can permit one to resolve identities of individual cells.
The lumens of distal tubules (d) commonly appear more open and clear than those of proximal tubules (p).
Comments and questions: dgking@siu.edu
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https://histology.siu.edu/crr/RN045b.htm
Last updated: 29 May 2022 / dgk