ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -As blood flows into each nephron, it enters a cluster of tiny blood vessels-the glomerulus. The thin walls of the glomerulus allow smaller molecules, wastes, and fluid-mostly water-to pass into the tubule.

Detailed explanation-2: -Blood is filtered in the renal cortex. The renal medulla contains the renal pyramids, where urine formation takes place. Urine passes from the renal pyramids into the renal pelvis. This funnel-shaped structure occupies the central cavity of each kidney and then narrows as it extends out to join the ureter.

Detailed explanation-3: -The nephron is the minute or microscopic structural and functional unit of the kidney. It is composed of a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule. The renal corpuscle consists of a tuft of capillaries called a glomerulus and a cup-shaped structure called Bowman’s capsule. The renal tubule extends from the capsule.

Detailed explanation-4: -A glomerulus is the network of capillaries that resides in the Bowman’s capsule that functions as a filtration unit of kidney. The glomerular function ensures that essential plasma proteins are retained in blood and the filtrate is passed on as urine.

Detailed explanation-5: -There are two types of nephrons-cortical nephrons (85 percent), which are deep in the renal cortex, and juxtamedullary nephrons (15 percent), which lie in the renal cortex close to the renal medulla.