The renal columns, Bertin columns, or columns of Bertin, a.k.a. columns of Bertini are extensions of the
renal cortex
The renal cortex is the outer portion of the kidney between the renal capsule and the renal medulla. In the adult, it forms a continuous smooth outer zone with a number of projections ( cortical columns) that extend down between the pyramids. I ...
in between the
renal pyramid
The renal medulla (Latin: ''medulla renis'' 'marrow of the kidney') is the innermost part of the kidney. The renal medulla is split up into a number of sections, known as the renal pyramids. Blood enters into the kidney via the renal artery, which ...
s. They allow the cortex to be better anchored. (Cortical extensions into the medullary space.)
Each column consists of lines of blood vessels and urinary tubes and a fibrous material.
A hypertrophied renal column (or ''renal pseudotumor'') may be differentiated from an actual
renal tumor with the help of a
DMSA scan. The scan will show the area as one with normal activity if it is a pseudotumor or will show decreased uptake if it is a cystic or solid renal mass.
See also
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Renal pyramids
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Renal papilla
In humans, the kidneys are two reddish-brown bean-shaped blood-filtering organs that are a multilobar, multipapillary form of mammalian kidneys, usually without signs of external lobulation. They are located on the left and right in the retr ...
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Renal medulla
The renal medulla (Latin: ''medulla renis'' 'marrow of the kidney') is the innermost part of the kidney. The renal medulla is split up into a number of sections, known as the renal pyramids. Blood enters into the kidney via the renal artery, which ...
Additional images
File:Slide12iii.JPG, Renal column
File:Slide13iii.JPG, Renal column
Kidney anatomy
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