1. Nephron Over a million in each kidney Functional unit of the kidney
Each has its own blood supply provided by 2 capillary regions
Two capillary beds:
Glomerulus
Peritubular
Role is to filter wastes while retaining water and other vital materials.
Located almost entirely in the cortex

3. Bowman’s Capsule Closed end of a nephron
Location where wastes are forced out of the blood and into the nephron
Outer layer made up of squamous epithelial cells
Found in the renal cortex
Surrounds the glomerulus

4. Glomerulus Knot of capillaries inside the Bowman’s capsule
Found in the renal cortex

5. Afferent Arteriole
Carries blood to the glomerulus

6. Efferent Arteriole Carries blood away from the glomerulus
Connects to the peritubular capillaries

7. Renal Tubule Consists of Bowman’s capsule
Rest of the tubule divided into 3 regions

8. Rest of tubule About 1.25 inch long
Coils and twists before entering the collecting duct
3 regions of tubule:
Proximal convoluted
Loop of Henle
Distal convoluted

9. Proximal Convoluted Tubule
Narrow region of the nephron after the Bowman’s capsule
Each cell has many mitochondria that supply energy for active transport of molecules from the lumen to the peritubular capillary network
Found in the renal cortex

10. Loop of Henle U-turn making loop in the tubule
Consists of a descending limb that allows water to leave and an ascending limb where NaCl leaves
Found in the renal medulla

11. Distal convoluted tubule
Last region of renal tubule
Each cell has many mitochondria, once again involved in active transport
Found in the renal cortex

12. Collecting Duct
Distal convoluted tubules of several nephrons enter one collecting duct
Many collecting ducts in each kidney
Carries urine to the renal pelvis
Found in the renal medulla

13. Capillary Beds Glomerulus Specialized for filtration
Unlike any other in the body because it is both fed and drained by arterioles, which are high-resistance vessels

14. Capillary Beds Peritubular Capillary Bed Surrounds the renal tubule
Involved in reabsorption of nutrients and water
Low-pressure, porous vessels