GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The renal cortex is where the nephrons (blood-filtering units) begin. Each kidney has 1 million nephrons. The filtering unit of the nephron is the glomerulus, and the glomerulus is attached to a tubule which removes wastes and returns the needed substances to your body.

Detailed explanation-2: -Blood flows into your kidney through the renal artery. This large blood vessel branches into smaller and smaller blood vessels until the blood reaches the nephrons. In the nephron, your blood is filtered by the tiny blood vessels of the glomeruli and then flows out of your kidney through the renal vein.

Detailed explanation-3: -The cortex provides a space for arterioles and venules from the renal artery and vein, as well as the glomerular capillaries, to perfuse the nephrons of the kidney. Erythropotein, a hormone necessary for the synthesis of new red blood cells, is also produced in the renal cortex.

Detailed explanation-4: -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.