Extraglomerular mesangial cell

Extraglomerular mesangial cells (or lacis cells) are light-staining cells in the kidney found outside the glomerulus, near the vascular pole and macula densa.

Additional recommended knowledge

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Lacis cells form the juxtaglomerular apparatus in combination with two other types of cells: the macula densa of the thick ascending limb of Henle and Juxtaglomerular cells of the afferent arteriole. This apparatus controls blood pressure through the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone system. The specific function of Lacis cells is not well understood. Although is it has been associated with the secretion of Erythropoietin. ^[1]

References

^ Junqueira, Luiz C.; Jose Carneiro (2003). Basic Histology. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0838505902.

v • d • e Urinary system - Kidney
Layers	Renal fascia • Renal capsule • Renal cortex (Renal column) • Renal medulla (Renal sinus, Renal pyramids, medullary interstitium) • Renal lobe • Cortical lobule • Medullary ray • Nephron
Afferent circulation	Renal artery → Segmental arteries → Interlobar arteries → Arcuate arteries → Cortical radial arteries → Afferent arterioles → Renal corpuscle (Glomerulus, Bowman's capsule)
Renal tubule	Proximal tubule → Loop of Henle (Descending, Thin ascending, Thick ascending) → Distal convoluted tubule → Connecting tubule → Collecting ducts → Duct of Bellini → Renal papilla → Minor calyx → Major calyx → Renal pelvis → Ureter
Efferent circulation	Glomerulus → Efferent arterioles → Peritubular capillaries/Vasa recta → Arcuate vein → Interlobar veins → Renal vein
Juxtaglomerular apparatus	Macula densa • Juxtaglomerular cells • Extraglomerular mesangial cell
Filtration	Glomerular basement membrane • Podocyte • Filtration slits • Intraglomerular mesangial cell • Tubular fluid
Renal physiology	Acid base physiology • Fluid balance