Plate 12.231 Kidney and Adrenal Gland

Ronald A. Bergman, Ph.D., Adel K. Afifi, M.D., Paul M. Heidger, Jr., Ph.D.
Peer Review Status: Externally Peer Reviewed

In this plate, the gross histologic features of the adrenal gland and the kidney are seen. Note the location of the adrenal gland, riding the superior pole of the kidney. Within the kidney, note the hilum where the ureter is seen in cross section and where vessels are seen entering and leaving the kidney. The divisions of the kidney into cortex and medulla are clearly seen. Note the peripheral location of the cortex and the cortical columns that dip between the medullary pyramids. The latter are pyramid-shaped medullary structures, with the base of the pyramid resting against the peripheral cortex and the apex toward the hilum. Between the pyramids, note the interlobar vessels. The interlobar artery is a branch of the renal artery. The interlobar veins form the renal vein. in the marginal zone, between the cortex and base of the pyramids, course the arcuate arteries and veins, which are tributaries of the interlobar vessels.

In the adrenal gland, note the subdivisions into cortex and medulla.

Next Page | Previous Page | Section Top | Title Page

URL: http://www.anatomyatlases.org/