BackNephron Anatomy & Physiology
0:54
Terms in this set (13)
The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming urine.
The glomerulus is a network of capillaries that filters blood plasma into the Bowman’s capsule.
The Bowman’s capsule surrounds the glomerulus and collects the filtrate from blood plasma.
The afferent arteriole carries oxygenated blood into the glomerulus for filtration.
The efferent arteriole carries filtered blood away from the glomerulus.
The proximal convoluted tubule reabsorbs water, ions, and nutrients from the filtrate back into the blood.
The distal convoluted tubule further adjusts the filtrate by selective secretion and reabsorption.
The Loop of Henle creates a concentration gradient in the medulla to concentrate urine.
The descending limb is permeable to water, allowing water to be reabsorbed into the blood.
The ascending limb is impermeable to water but actively transports ions out to maintain medullary concentration.
The collecting tubule collects urine from multiple nephrons and transports it to the renal pelvis.
The renal artery carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the kidneys.
The renal vein carries oxygen-depleted blood away from the kidneys back to the heart.