Loop of Henle
Loop of Henle (pronunciation: lo͞op əv hen′lē) is a part of the nephron in the kidney. It is named after its discoverer, the German anatomist Friedrich Gustav Jakob Henle.
Etymology
The term "Loop of Henle" is derived from the name of its discoverer, Friedrich Gustav Jakob Henle, who first described this structure in 1862.
Definition
The Loop of Henle is a long, U-shaped portion of the tubule that conducts urine within each nephron of the kidney of mammals. The main function of the Loop of Henle is to recover water and sodium chloride from the urine.
Structure
The Loop of Henle consists of two parts: the descending limb and the ascending limb. The descending limb is permeable to water and less permeable to ions, while the ascending limb is impermeable to water and permeable to ions.
Function
The primary function of the Loop of Henle is to concentrate the urine, which helps the body to retain water. It does this by creating a region of high urea concentration deep in the medulla, near the collecting duct. The high concentration of urea in the medulla pulls water out of the collecting duct, concentrating the urine.
Related Terms
- Nephron: The functional unit of the kidney, consisting of the glomerulus, proximal convoluted tubule, Loop of Henle, and distal convoluted tubule.
- Kidney: A pair of organs in the abdominal cavity of mammals, birds, and reptiles, which excrete urine.
- Urea: A colorless, crystalline compound that is the main nitrogenous breakdown product of protein metabolism in mammals and is excreted in urine.
- Medulla: The inner region of an organ or tissue, especially when it is distinguishable from the outer region or cortex.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Loop of Henle
- Wikipedia's article - Loop of Henle
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