What types of cells make up the kidneys?

Answer 1

The kidney has many different cellular structures. The kidney's blood supply is formed by endothelial cells, myoepithelial cells, pericytes, and smooth muscle cells. There is also connective tissue within the kidney so you will find fibroblasts. Within the hilum of the kidney you can find adipose tissue so therefore you will find adipoctes. Then you have the kidney parenchyma. Within the glomerulus you will find bowman's capsule epithelial cells, mesangial cells, and podocytes. Right outside the glomerulus there are juxtaglomerular cells adjacent to the macula densa cells within the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney.(These cells function as sensors and control kidney activity) You will also find renal tubular cells which change from the proximal convoluted tubule, descending limb of the loop of henle, ascending thin limb of the loop of henle, thick ascending limb, distal convoluted tubule and then into the medullary collecting ducts. In these ducts you have two types of cells principal cells and intercalated cells. Then as you follow the formation of urine into the minor calyx of the kidney you begin to see transitional epithelial cells. In terms of embryonic origin the ureteric bud(derived from endoderm) gives rise to the cells from the bladder up to the collecting duct system of the kidney. The rest of the kidney comes from the metanephros(a mesodermic derivative).