The mammalian renal thick ascending limb of Henle (TAL) reabsorbs approximately 55% of the filtered magnesium; accordingly, it is the major segment involved in control of renal Mg balance. This review discusses recent evidence for passive and active transport of Mg through the paracellular and transcellular pathways of the TAL, respectively. The properties of these pathways provide a basis for understanding the factors influencing magnesium reabsorption and hormonal controls regulating Mg balance. Normally, Mg absorption is load dependent, whether delivery is altered by increasing luminal Mg concentration or increasing the flow rate into the thick ascending limb. In contrast to the luminal concentration, elevation of peritubular (plasma) Mg and Ca inhibit divalent cation absorption by mechanisms that are not entirely clear. Magnesium reabsorption in the TAL is also closely associated with NaCl absorption so that factors that influence NaCl also affect magnesium. Magnesium deficiency results in a specific and apparently intrinsic cellular adaptation to increase Mg absorption in the TAL. Our greatest understanding of hormonal controls for Mg absorption have come from recent studies using a "hormone deprived" animal model. Parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, glucagon, and antidiuretic hormone act through a common second messenger, adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, to limit Mg excretion by enhancing active Mg transport in the TAL. The integrated actions of these hormones and possibly others provide a sensitive means of control. Clearly, recent observations, using in vivo and in vitro microperfusion studies, have altered our thinking of TAL function and indicate that Mg transport is sensitively and specifically controlled within this segment.