[Morphometric study of the normal kidney and in pathology: the possibilities and limitations]

The possibilities of morphometry in the study of normal and pathologically altered kidney at the macroscopical, light optical and ultrastructural levels are considered. Morphometrical approaches to the examination of the glomeruli, nephron canaliculi and collecting tubules, blood and lymph vessels, juxtaglomerular apparatus, interstitial medulla cells, intraorgan nerves are analysed. Some practical recommendations for quantitative analysis of the renal structure are given, the causes of possible errors are indicated.