On the Basement Membrane of the Nephron

Abstract

This study comprises some observations about the structure of the connective tissue of the basement membrane and interstitium in some normal, post-natal human kidneys. The basis of the basement membrane is mainly a reticular, homogeneous membrane that belongs uniformly to both Bowman's capsule and the wall of the renal tubule. Outside it in the capsule is a durable collagenic membrane whose development must be considered and evincement of functional adaptation under the pressure conditions of the cavity. In renal tubules there is no such well-defined outer membrane, but in them the basement membrane has in addition collagenic traits to some extent and is thus reticular-collagenic when examined as a whole. The renal tubules are surrounded by a dense, spiraling reticular network of fibres which attaches to the connective tissue of the interstitium where fibrocytes are scarce. The network extends all the way around the renal corpuscle. There is no elastic tissue at all in the basement membranes.