Histology at SIU

Renal biopsy, silver stain

This low-magnification micrograph shows the full width of a needle-biopsy of renal cortex, from a patient with glomerulosclerosis. This specimen has been stained with silver to demonstrate filtration membranes and mesangial matrix. (The length of the actual specimen is several times longer than shown here.)

Mesangial occlusion of several glomeruli is fairly evident even at this low magnification, as is pathological shrinkage and degeneration of renal tubules.

Below are several higher-magnification images, illustrating variations in glomerular and tubular pathology found within this single specimen.



Corpuscle with patent capillaries and Bowman's space, but with significant increase in mesangial cells and matrix. Click on image for enlarged view.
Corpuscle partially occluded, with a few patent capillaries and with some of Bowman's space remaining open.



Glomerulus completely occluded, Bowman's space still partially open.
Entire corpuscle (glomerulus and Bowman's space) completely occluded by mesangium, and with adhesions between glomerulus and Bowman's capsule.



More-or-less normal renal tubules (some thickening of basement membranes). Click on image for enlarged view.
Degenerating renal tubules, with thickened basement membrane.

RENAL IMAGE INDEX

Comments and questions: dgking@siu.edu

SIUC / School of Medicine / Anatomy / David King

https://histology.siu.edu/crr/RN078b.htm
Last updated: 15 September 2021 / dgk


Corpuscle with patent capillaries and Bowman's space, but with significant increase in mesangial cells and matrix. Click on image for enlarged view.		Corpuscle partially occluded, with a few patent capillaries and with some of Bowman's space remaining open.


Glomerulus completely occluded, Bowman's space still partially open.		Entire corpuscle (glomerulus and Bowman's space) completely occluded by mesangium, and with adhesions between glomerulus and Bowman's capsule.


More-or-less normal renal tubules (some thickening of basement membranes). Click on image for enlarged view.		Degenerating renal tubules, with thickened basement membrane.