The kidney has many different types of cells in it: 1) blood vessel cells
2) cells of connective tissue: this holds the different kidney tissues together
a) adipose (fat) cells
b) fibroblasts producing collagen and ground tissue
3) functional cells: these pertain to the filtration of blood plasma into urine.
a) glomerular cells: these are very thin squamous cells with special "slits" in them to filter (the first part of the nephron.
b) cuboidal tubular cells: these are squarish (cube-like) cells that make a stricter filtering layer, the 2nd part of the neuron.
c) squamous tubular cells: also in the tubule of the nephron, these cells help to filter water and some electrolytes.
4) urothelial cells: these cells are at the end of the nephrons, the collecting ducts, and into the urinary spaces (calyces and renal pelvis)
It contains a specialized type of cell that has smooth muscle under it for contraction.
5) macula densa cells: these are important for sensing how much blood is entering the nephrons, which can secrete a hormone to change/regulate that bloodflow.
6) smooth muscles in front of every nephron: these tiny strips of smooth type of muscle cells is wrapped around the tiny blood vessels entering the glomerulus of the nephron. These muscles can contract around the vessels to restrict bloodflow show it be too much.