Peritubular capillaries

Peritubular capillaries are tiny blood vessels, located in the kidney, that function in the reabsorption of substances into the blood from the renal tubules. They are part of the renal circulation and are named for their location around (peri-) the renal tubules.

Structure

Peritubular capillaries arise from efferent arterioles serving the glomerulus. They are low-pressure, porous capillaries that reabsorb solutes and water from the tubular fluid (urine) in the kidney. They are located in the cortex of the kidney, and are continuous with the venous system via the interlobular veins.

Function

The primary function of the peritubular capillaries is to reabsorb useful substances such as water and solutes from the renal tubules back into the blood. This process is driven by the concentration gradient created by the filtration process in the glomerulus. The peritubular capillaries also carry away the substances that are not reabsorbed by the renal tubules.

Clinical significance

Damage to the peritubular capillaries can lead to reduced reabsorption of water and solutes, which can result in conditions such as proteinuria and chronic kidney disease.

See also

• Renal physiology
• Renal corpuscle
• Renal tubule
• Renal circulation

References

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