Summary
The fine structure of the rat caliceal wall at its attachment to the renal parenchyma is described. Particular attention is paid to the smooth muscle cells and their associated nerves. A single overlapping layer of epithelial cells lines the renal papilla which changes abruptly to a layer of 3–5 cells where the calix gains attachment to the renal substance. In this region there is an associated increase in the underlying connective tissue which contains smooth muscle cells. These cells possess filaments, are surrounded by a basal lamina, and occur scattered among large bundles of collagen fibres. The muscle cells possess numerous branching processes as well as shorter projections which make close contacts with adjacent cells. Large numbers of axons and their associated Schwann cells are also observed in this region. The axons possess swellings, some of which lie within 800 Å of smooth muscle cells, and contain large and small granulated vesicles and agranular vesicles. They are therefore considered to be adrenergic effectors.
Further out in the caliceal wall typical spindle-shaped smooth muscle cells are observed lying parallel to one another to form closely packes bundles and are associated with relatively few nerves.
The significance of these observations is discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Boyarsky, S., Labay, P.: Ureteral motility. Ann. Rev. Med. 20, 383–394 (1969).
Engelman, T. W.: Zur Physiologie des Ureters. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. 2, 243–293 (1896).
Gosling, J. A.: The innervation of the upper urinary tract. J. Anat. (Lond.) 106, 51–61 (1970).
Haebler, H.: Über die nervöse Versorgung der Nierenkelche. Z. Urol. 16, 377–384 (1922).
Hicks, R. M.: The fine structure of the transitional epithelium of rat ureter. J. Cell Biol. 26, 25–48 (1965).
Hökfelt, T.: In Vitro studies on central and peripheral monoamine neurons at the ultrastructural level. Z. Zellforsch. 91, 1–74 (1968).
—: Distribution of noradrenaline storing particles in peripheral adrenergic neurons as revealed by electron microscopy. Acta physiol. Scand. 76, 427–440 (1969).
Hryntschak, T.: Zur Anatomie und Physiologie des Nervenapparates der Harnblase und des Ureters. Z. urol. Chir. 18, 86–110 (1925).
Kiil, F.: The function of the ureter and renal pelvis. Philadelphia: Saunders 1957.
Leeson, C. R., Leeson, T. S.: The rat ureter. Fine structural changes during its development. Acta anat. (Basel) 62, 60–70 (1965).
Muylder, C. G. de: In: The neurility of the kidney — a monograph on nerve supply to the kidney. Oxford: Blackwell Sci. Publ. 1952.
Narath, P. A.: Renal pelvis and ureter. New York: Grune & Stratton 1951.
Notley, R. G.: Electron microscopy of the upper ureter and the pelvi-ureteric junction. Brit. J. Urol. 40, 37–52 (1968).
—: The innervation of the upper ureter in man and in the rat: an ultrastructural study. J. Anat. (Lond.) 105, 393–402 (1969).
Palade, G. E.: A study of fixation for electron microscopy. J. exp. Med. 95, 285–298 (1952).
Reynolds, E. S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–213 (1963).
Sabatini, D. C., Bensch, K., Barrnett, R. J.: Cytochemistry and electron microscopy. The preservation of cellular ultrastructure and enzymatic activity by aldehyde fixation. J. Cell Biol. 17, 19–58 (1963).
Simpson, F. O., Devine, C. E.: The fine structure of autonomic neuromuscular contacts in arterioles of sheep renal cortex. J. Anat. (Lond.) 100, 127–137 (1966).
Thaemert, J. C.: Ultrastructural interrelationships of nerve processes and smooth muscle cells in three dimensions. J. Cell Biol. 28, 37–49 (1966).
Yamamoto, I.: An electron microscope study on development of uterine smooth muscle. J. Electron Micr. (Tokyo) 10, 145–160 (1961).
Yamauchi, A., Burnstock, G.: Post-natal development of smooth muscle cells in the mouse vas deferens. A fine structural study. J. Anat. (Lond.) 104, 1–15 (1969).
Zanne, D. D.: Experimentelle Studien zur Dynamik der oberen Harnwege. I. Mitt. Allgemeine physiologische Betrachtungen. Z. Urol. 30, 841–861 (1936).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dixon, J.S., Gosling, J.A. Electron microscopic observations on the renal caliceal wall in the rat. Z. Zellforsch. 103, 328–340 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00335277
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00335277