Periodic disk-like structures of the loop of Henle: description of a newly recognized anatomic network.
A light-microscopic examination of sections of kidneys from 35 patients was performed utilizing the PAS stain. A previously unrecognized anatomic network of the basement membrane of the loop of Henle is described. The network consists of 10-to 15-mu-diameter, round-to-ovoid, disk-like areas of thickening of the basement membrane occurring along most loops of Henle and appearing to be present on both thin and thick portions. These disks are present around the entire circumference of the tubule and are separated by areas of 5 to 10 mu of nonthickened basement membranes. Their function, if any, is not presently understood.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008138:Loop of Henle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D010503:Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction