A critical reevaluation of the structure of the rat uriniferous tubule as revealed by scanning electron microscopy.

The fine structure of luminal surface of clearly identified portions of uriniferous tubules has been studied by scanning electron microscopy to elucidate some controversies concerning the topography of certain surface formations. The results show a characteristic pattern of the luminal surface in the region of Henle's loop, which was assumed by previous authors, to belong to the collecting tubule. Furthermore it is demonstrated that no cilia are present within the terminal portion of the collecting tubules.