Computer-aided three-dimensional images of the helical structure in the apical tubule of absorbing epithelia.
Computer-aided three-dimensional models of the helical structure within an apical tubule (AT) of several absorbing epithelia (kidney proximal tubule, visceral yolk sac, and ductuli efferentes) were constructed using ray-tracing graphics software to further understand the highly ordered structural configuration. Our previous electron microscopic studies using thin-section technique have first revealed the helical structure within the AT fixed in situ with a mixture of formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, and osmium tetroxide. In the present study, we construct a computer-aided three-dimensional model of the helical structure in the AT to explain quantitative data obtained by the electron microscopy. The model could well explain several aspects of electron microscopical images and enables us to understand more clearly the three-dimensional configuration of the unique structure associated with the AT.
Kawai
Y
Y
Department of Anatomy, Kagawa Medical School, Japan.
Hatae
T
T
D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006224:Cricetinae; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007798:Lampreys; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains