Macula densa

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Renal corpuscle:The structure on the left in blue and pink is the renal corpuscle. The structure on the right is the renal tubule. The blue structure (A) is the Bowman's capsule (2 and 3). The pink structure is the glomerulus with its capillaries. At the left, blood flows from the afferent arteriole (9), through the capillaries (10), and out the efferent arteriole (11). The mesangium is the pink structure inside the glomerulus between the capillaries (5a) and extending outside the glomerulus (5b). Macula densa is #7.

In the kidney, the macula densa is an area of closely packed specialized cells lining the wall of the cortical thick ascending limb, at the transition to the distal convoluted tubule.

The cells of the macula densa are sensitive to the concentration of sodium chloride in the late thick ascending limb. A decrease in sodium chloride concentration initiates a signal from the macula densa that has two effects: (1) it decreases resistance to blood flow in the afferent arterioles via vasodilation, which increases glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure and helps return glomerulus filtration rate (GFR) toward normal, and (2) it increases renin release from the juxtaglomerular cells of the afferent and efferent arterioles, which are the major storage sites for renin.[1]

As such, an increase in sodium chloride concentration would result in vasoconstriction of afferent arterioles, and reduced paracrine stimulation of juxtaglomerular cells. This demonstrates the macula densa feedback, where compensatory mechanisms act in order to return GFR to normal.

The release of renin is an essential component of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), which regulates blood pressure and volume.


The cells of the macula densa are taller and have more prominent nuclei than surrounding cells of the distal straight tubule (cortical thick ascending limb).

The close proximity and prominence of the nuclei cause this segment of the distal tubule wall to appear darker in microscopic preparations,[2] hence the name macula densa.


Schematic depicting how the RAAS works. Here, activation of the RAAS is initiated by a low perfusion pressure in the juxtaglomerular apparatus

Macula densa cells sense changes in sodium chloride level, and will trigger an autoregulatory response to increase or decrease reabsorption of ions and water to the blood (as needed) in order to alter blood volume and return blood pressure to normal.

A decrease in afferent arteriole diameter causes a decrease in the GFR (glomerular filtration rate), resulting in a decreased concentration of sodium and chloride ions in the filtrate and/or decreased filtrate flow rate. Reduced blood pressure means decreased venous pressure and, hence, a decreased peritubular capillary pressure. This results in a smaller capillary hydrostatic pressure, which causes an increased absorption of sodium ions into the vasa recta at the proximal tubule.

Hence, a decrease in blood pressure results in less NaCl present at the distal tubule, where the macula densa is located. The macula densa senses this drop in salt concentration and responds through two mechanisms: First, it triggers dilation of the renal afferent arteriole, decreasing afferent arteriole resistance and, thus, offsetting the decrease in glomerular hydrostatic pressure caused by the drop in blood pressure.

Second, macula densa cells release prostaglandins, which triggers granular juxtaglomerular cells lining the afferent arterioles to release renin into the bloodstream. (The juxtaglomerular cells can also release renin independently of the macula densa. They are also triggered by baroreceptors lining the arterioles, and release renin if a fall in blood pressure in the arterioles is detected. Furthermore, activation of the sympathetic nervous system stimulates renin release through activation of beta-1 receptors.)

Thus, a drop in blood pressure results in dilation of the afferent arterioles, increasing the GFR due to greater blood flow to the glomerulus. It also results in the release of renin, which, through the renin-angiotensin system, causes constriction of the efferent arterioles, which ultimately increases hydrostatic pressure in the glomerulus.

The process triggered by the macula densa helps keep the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) fairly steady in response to varying artery pressure.

Damage to the macula densa would impact blood flow to the kidneys because the afferent arterioles would not dilate in response to a decrease in filtrate osmolarity and pressure at the glomerulus would not be increased. As part of the body’s blood pressure regulation, the macula densa monitors filtrate osmolarity; if it falls too far, the macula densa causes the afferent arterioles of the kidney to dilate, thus increasing the pressure at the glomerulus and increasing the glomerular filtration rate. The macula densa does not regulate the dilation of the efferent arterioles and afferent arterioles do not dilate in response to increases in filtrate osmolarity.

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  1. ^ Guyton & Hall Textbook Of Physiology, 11th Edition 2006 - pg 324
  2. ^ Histology image:16010loa from Vaughan, Deborah (2002). A Learning System in Histology: CD-ROM and Guide. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195151732. 

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