| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Bowman's capsule | A double-walled cup that surrounds the glomerulus; capsular space between the two walls, where filtrate is received |
| Parietal layer | The outer layer of the Bowman's capsule |
| Visceral Bowman's capsule | Also known as the inner wall of the Bowman's capsule |
| Renal corpuscle | The division of a nephron that consists of the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule |
| Proximal convoluted tubule | First segment of a renal tubule; made of simple cuboidal epthelium and contains microvilli on its surface; 99% of all reabsorption (substances movinge back into blood) occurs here |
| Loop of Henle | Connects the proximal and distal convoluted tubules and helps determine urine concentration; both proximal and distal tubules have a thin descending and thick ascending section that is composed of simple squamous epithelium |
| Distal convoluted tubule | Segment of a renal tubule that is furthest away from the glomerular capsule; eventually empties into a collecting duct, shared by several other nephrons |
| Principal cells | Cells present in the DCT that have receptors for both anitdiuretic hormones (ADH) and aldosterone, which regulate their function |
| Intercalated cells | A small number of cells present in the DCT that plays a role in the homeostasis of blood pH; controls pH of blood and urine by moving hydrogen ions |
| Juxtaglomerular apparatus | Located where the loop of Henle and the distal convoluted tubule meet; the DCT touches the afferent arteriole; functions to maintain constant BP and therefore filtration rate |
| Macula densa | Cells in the DCT; tightly packed and contain chemoreceptors to detect changes in ion concentration of the filtrate |
| Juxtaglomerular cells | Smooth muscle cells in the wall of the arteriole; contains stretch receptors that detect pressure changes; maintains pressure to keep filtration rate constant |
| Collecting duct | Drains filtrate into the renal papillary ducts which are lined by simple columnar epithelium; is composed of simple cuboidal epithelium and contains principal and intercalated cells |
Combine with other sets
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