The three dimensional fine structure of human glomeruli taken from full term aborted human fetus was studied under the scanning electron microscope. The podocytes and their cytoplasmic processes with their elaborate ramification on the capillary wall were clearly demarcated in the glomerulus of the tissues which were paraffin embedded and then cleared in xylol and fixed byperfusion of glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde, and in the glomerulus of the biopsy specimen fixed by immersion in the osmium tetraoxide secondary fixative. The human podocytes were characterized by marked irregularity in the ramification pattern of their cytoplasmic processes, as compared with those of the rat and the rabbit.The interdigitation of the terminal processes was always noticed between those of different cells. In this study attempt was made to apply scanning electron microscopy to the human kidney specimens of full term aborted human foetuses and to clarify the three-dimensional fine structure of the human glomeruli, especially of the podocytes, structure of glomerular and the cytoplasmic processes in view of the glomerular changes in End Stage Renal Disease and Obstructive Uropathy. The diseases of Basement Membrane like Alport’s Syndrome and Good Pasture Syndrome can also be elicitated by this study.
