Renal capsule

• WHAT: fibrous connective tissue

• WHERE: most outer layer of the kidney

• WHY: supports kidney and prevents injury

Renal cortex:

• WHAT: contains a space filled with blood vessels

• WHERE: underneath the renal capsule, above medulla

• WHY: reabsorbs filtered material, provides a space for arteries and veins to provide blood flow to the nephrons

Renal medulla

• WHAT: contains bulk of nephron structures called renal pyramids

• WHERE: innermost layer of the kidney

• WHY: (nephrons) provide filtering for the kidney

Renal pyramids

• WHAT: dense nephron structures, conical shape inside kidney

• WHERE: in the renal medulla

• WHY: allows filtration of kidney

Renal columns

• WHAT: connective tissue that separates medullary pyramids

• WHERE: in between medullary pyramids

• WHY: provides a better anchor for renal cortex like a “column”