Glomerular filtrate
Glomerular Filtrate
Glomerular filtrate (pronounced: gloh-MER-yuh-lar FIL-trayt) is a term used in nephrology, the branch of medicine that deals with the study of the kidneys and its diseases.
Etymology
The term "glomerular" is derived from the Latin word "glomerulus" which means "a small ball". This is in reference to the glomerulus, a network of tiny blood vessels in the kidney where filtration occurs. The term "filtrate" comes from the Latin word "filtratum", which means "to filter".
Definition
Glomerular filtrate is the liquid part of the blood that is filtered through the glomerulus in the kidneys. This process is the first step in the formation of urine. The filtrate contains water, electrolytes, glucose, and waste products but not blood cells or large proteins.
Related Terms
- Glomerulus: A tiny ball-shaped structure composed of capillary blood vessels actively involved in the filtration of the blood to form urine.
- Nephron: The functional unit of the kidney, consisting of the glomerulus and the renal tubule, where the glomerular filtrate is processed into urine.
- Renal Filtration: The process by which the kidneys filter the blood, removing excess wastes and fluids.
- Urine: A liquid by-product of the body secreted by the kidneys through a process called urination and excreted through the urethra.
See Also
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