Anatomy of Nephrons and Collecting System

Flashcards covering vocabulary related to the anatomy of nephrons and the collecting system.

Filtrate

The fluid that is filtered from the blood through the glomerulus, found in the renal corpuscle and renal tubule.

Renal Corpuscle

The initial part of the nephron, consisting of the glomerulus and the glomerular capsule.

Fenestrated Capillaries

Capillaries that contain pores (fenestrations) to allow increased diffusion of substances.

Glomerular Capsule

Also known as Bowman's capsule; it encompasses the glomerulus and captures filtrate.

Podocyte

Specialized cells with foot-like extensions that cover the surface of glomerular capillaries, involved in filtration.

Capsular Space

The region within the glomerular capsule where filtrate accumulates before entering the renal tubule.

Proximal Tubule

The first part of the renal tubule, lined with simple cuboidal epithelium and numerous microvilli for absorption.

Nephron Loop

Also called the loop of Henle; it is divided into the thin descending limb and the thick ascending limb.

Distal Tubule

The third part of the renal tubule that leads to the collecting duct, lined with simple cuboidal epithelium.

Collecting System

The structure that collects filtrate from multiple nephrons, located in the renal pyramids of the renal medulla.

Cortical Collecting Duct

Part of the collecting system located in the renal cortex.

Medullary Collecting System

Part of the collecting system located in the renal medulla.

Juxtaglomerular Apparatus

Group of cells that regulate filtrate formation and systemic blood pressure, located where the distal tubule contacts arterioles.

Macula Densa Cells

Chemoreceptors in the distal tubule that monitor sodium and chloride ion concentrations.

Juxtaglomerular Cells (JG Cells)

Mechanoreceptors in the afferent and efferent arterioles that monitor blood pressure and produce renin.

Renin

An enzyme produced by juxtaglomerular cells that plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure.