Medulla
A cross section, rather than the usual longitudinal section, of the medulla demonstrates the thin limbs of the loop of Henle, the ascending thick limbs, medullary collecting ducts, and vasa recta. Note the prominent lateral cell boundaries in the collecting ducts. Proximal straight tubules do not extend this deeply into the medulla. 400x
Thin limbs
A cross section, rather than the usual longitudinal section, of the medulla demonstrates the thin limbs of the loop of Henle, the ascending thick limbs, medullary collecting ducts, and vasa recta. Note the prominent lateral cell boundaries in the collecting ducts. Proximal straight tubules do not extend this deeply into the medulla. 400x
Ascending thick limbs
A cross section, rather than the usual longitudinal section, of the medulla demonstrates the thin limbs of the loop of Henle, the ascending thick limbs, medullary collecting ducts, and vasa recta. Note the prominent lateral cell boundaries in the collecting ducts. Proximal straight tubules do not extend this deeply into the medulla. 400x
Collecting ducts
A cross section, rather than the usual longitudinal section, of the medulla demonstrates the thin limbs of the loop of Henle, the ascending thick limbs, medullary collecting ducts, and vasa recta. Note the prominent lateral cell boundaries in the collecting ducts. Proximal straight tubules do not extend this deeply into the medulla. 400x
Vasa recta
A cross section, rather than the usual longitudinal section, of the medulla demonstrates the thin limbs of the loop of Henle, the ascending thick limbs, medullary collecting ducts, and vasa recta. Note the prominent lateral cell boundaries in the collecting ducts. Proximal straight tubules do not extend this deeply into the medulla. 400x