Microvascular architecture within the pig kidney cortex

Corrosion casts of the plastic (Mercox Cl-2B) filled pig kidney cortex vasculature were sliced either parallel or perpendicular to the kidney surface. Scanning electron microscopy photographs were taken of the casts. Montages of the photographs were analyzed using a digitizing tablet and microcomputer-based software. For vessels having diameters larger than 0.05 mm, their sizes, numbers per unit area, and branching patterns were studied with respect to the kidney cortex depth. Vascular branching diameters and angles within the cortex compare favorably with those reported for other major vascular systems. The microvascular dimensions and densities were used to predict the average blood flow velocity within the kidney cortex. It is expected that the results will facilitate a better insight into the contribution of flowing blood to the heat transfer process in perfused tissues.