Nephron
Nephron
Nephron (/ˈnɛfrɒn/; from Greek νεφρός - nephros, meaning "kidney") is the microscopic structural and functional unit of the kidney. It is composed of a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule. The renal corpuscle consists of a tuft of capillaries called a glomerulus and an encompassing Bowman's capsule. The renal tubule extends from the capsule.
The nephron utilizes four mechanisms to convert blood into urine: filtration, reabsorption, secretion, and excretion. These apply to various substances such as water, ions (e.g., sodium, potassium, chloride), organic molecules (e.g., glucose), and waste products (e.g., urea, ammonia).
Etymology
The term "nephron" derives from the Greek word "νεφρός" (nephros), which means "kidney". It was first used in the late 19th century by German anatomist and physiologist Rudolf Heidenhain.
Related Terms
- Renal corpuscle: The initial filtering component of a nephron.
- Glomerulus: A network of capillaries located at the beginning of a nephron in the kidney.
- Bowman's capsule: A cup-like sac at the beginning of the tubular component of a nephron.
- Renal tubule: The part of a nephron through which filtrate from the glomerular capsule flows.
- Filtration: The process of removing waste products from the body.
- Reabsorption: The process by which water and solutes are taken back into the blood.
- Secretion: The process by which substances are produced and discharged from a cell, gland, or organ for a particular function in the organism or for excretion.
- Excretion: The process of eliminating waste matter.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nephron
- Wikipedia's article - Nephron
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