Glomerular basement membrane
Glomerular Basement Membrane
The Glomerular Basement Membrane (GBM) (pronunciation: gloh-MER-yuh-lur BASE-ment MEM-brane) is a crucial part of the kidney's filtration system, known as the glomerulus.
Etymology
The term "Glomerular" is derived from the Latin word "glomerulus" which means "a small ball". "Basement" refers to the base or foundation, and "membrane" comes from the Latin "membrana" meaning a thin layer or sheet.
Function
The GBM serves as a physical barrier in the filtration of blood, allowing only certain substances to pass through. It is composed of a network of collagen and other glycoproteins that provide structural support to the podocytes, specialized cells that wrap around the capillaries of the glomerulus.
Related Terms
- Nephron: The functional unit of the kidney, which includes the glomerulus and the attached tubule.
- Podocyte: A cell in the Bowman's capsule in the kidneys that wraps around the capillaries of the glomerulus.
- Collagen: The main structural protein in the extracellular space in the various connective tissues in the body.
- Glycoprotein: Any of a class of proteins that have carbohydrate groups attached to the polypeptide chain.
Pathology
Damage to the GBM can lead to various kidney diseases, such as Goodpasture syndrome and Alport syndrome. In these conditions, the GBM becomes either too permeable, allowing harmful substances to pass into the urine, or too impermeable, preventing necessary substances from being filtered out of the blood.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Glomerular basement membrane
- Wikipedia's article - Glomerular basement membrane
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