Microradiography of the collecting ducts in the perfusion fixed rabbit kidney: suggestions for the anatomic basis for the radiographic appearance of cortical striations and intrarenal reflux.

Perfusion fixation was used to preserve the rabbit kidney, in its in vivo state (open tubules). Barium sulfate was either injected through the renal artery at a pressure sufficient to cause postulated microruptures in the glomerular tufts and opacify the tubules, or refluxed via the ureter to opacify the collecting ducts and tubules to the level of Bowman's capsule. The anatomy of the collecting ducts and their relationships to the nephrons were demonstrated, allowing suggestions for the anatomical basis for the radiographic appearances of cortical striations and intrarenal reflux.