Nephron and figure of Nephron – The course is designed for the basic understanding of anatomical structures and physiological functions of human body, musculoskeletal system, digestive system, respiratory system; cardiovascular system; urinary system, endocrine system, reproductive system, nervous system, hematologic system, sensory organs, integumentary system, and immune system.The aim of the course is to acquire knowledge and skills regarding anatomy and physiology.
Nephron and figure of Nephron
Definition :-
The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney responsible for the formation of urine.. Each kidney contains about 1 million nephron.
- Filtration occurs in the glomerulus, which receives blood from an afferent arteriole
- Glomerular blood is drained by an efferent arteriole, which delivers blood to peritubular
capillaries that surround the nephron tubules. - The glomerular (Bowman’s) capsule and the proximal and distal convoluted tubules are located in the cortex.
- The loop of Henle is located in the medulla.
- Filtrate from the distal convoluted tubule is drained into collecting ducts, which plunge through the medulla to empty urine into the calyces.
Types of nephron
There are two principal types of nephrons are classified according to their position in the kidney and the lengths of their loops of Henle:
1. Cortical nephron (85%): Having short loop of Henle.
2. Juxtamedullary nephron (15%): Having long loop of Henle.
Parts of the nephron
A nephron consists of two parts:
1. A renal corpuscle (KOR-pusul = tiny body), where blood plasma is filtered, The two parts that make up a renal corpuscle are
- The glomerulus and
- The glomerular (bowman’s) capsule,
2. A renal tubule into which the filtered fluid, called glomerular filtrate, passes. The three main sections of the renal tubule are
- The proximal convoluted tubule,
- The loop of Henle, and
- The distal convoluted tubule. (connective tubule, cortical collecting tubule and collecting duct)
Functions of Nephron
Nephrons perform three basic tasks:
- Glomerular filtration:- is the first step of urine production.
- Tubular reabsorption : Reabsorption of wanted substances occur as filtered fluid flows along the renal tubule. and
- Tubular secretion :- Unwanted substances secretion also takes place as fluid flows along the tubule and through the collecting duct
(Ref:- Ross & Wilson 9th /340-345p + Sear’s Anatomy. 6th, P-215-218)
Shortly :-
Functions of Nephron
1. Formation of urine.
2. Reabsorption of wanted substances.
3. Excretion of unwanted substances.
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