Nephron Definition

“Nephron is the basic functional unit of kidneys that consists of a

glomerulus and its associated tubules through which the glomerular filtrate
passes before it emerges as urine”
Table of Contents

 Nephron
 Structure
 Types
 Functions
 Conclusion

What is Nephron?
A nephron is the basic structural and functional unit of the kidney. They are the microscopic structure
composed of a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule. The word nephron is derived from the Greek word
– nephros, meaning kidney. There are about millions of nephrons in each human kidney.

Structure of Nephron

The mammalian nephron is a long tube-like structure, its length varying from 35–55 mm long. At one
end, the tube is closed, folded and expanded, into a double-walled, a cuplike structure called the
Bowman’s capsule or renal corpuscular capsule, which encloses a cluster of microscopic blood
vessels called the glomerulus. This capsule and glomerulus together constitute the renal corpuscle.
The structure of nephron comprises two major portions:

1. Renal Tubule
2. Renal Corpuscle

Renal Tubule
The renal tubule is a long and convoluted structure that emerges from the glomerulus and can be
divided into three parts based on function.

 The first part is called the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) due to its proximity to the
glomerulus; it stays in the renal cortex.
 The second part is called the loop of Henle, or nephritic loop because it forms a loop (with
descending and ascending limbs) that goes through the renal medulla.
 The third part of the renal tubule is called the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) and this part is
also restricted to the renal cortex.
The capillaries of the glomerulus are enclosed by a cup-like structure called Bowman’s capsule. This
structure extends to form highly coiled tubules called PCT. PCT continues to form the loop of Henle
which ascends to DCT, which in turn opens into the collecting duct.
The major function of tubules is reabsorption and the process can either be
through active transport or passive transport. In addition, secretions by tubules help in the urine
formation without affecting the electrolyte balance of the body.

 Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)

The blood brought by the renal artery is filtered by the glomerulus and then passed to the PCT.
Maximum reabsorption takes place in PCT of the [Link] is the region of renal tubule where
reabsorption of essential substances like glucose, proteins, amino acids, a major portion of
electrolytes and water takes place. The surface area for reabsorption is facilitated by the lining of the
simple cuboidal epithelium in them. Reabsorption takes place at the expense of energy, i.e., the
process is [Link] selectively secretes ions such as hydrogen, ammonia, and potassium into the
filtrate and absorbs HCO from it. Thus, PCT maintains the electrolyte and acid-base balance of the
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body fluids.

 Henle’s Loop
Henle’s loop has a descending and an ascending limb. Being parts of the same loop, both the
descending and ascending limbs show different permeability. The descending limb is permeable to
water but impermeable to an electrolyte, while the ascending limb is permeable to electrolytes but
impermeable to water. Since the electrolytes get reabsorbed at the ascending loop of Henle, the
filtrate gets diluted as it moves towards the ascending limb. But reabsorption is limited in this
segment.

 Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT)

The DCT, which is the last part of the nephron, connects and empties its contents into collecting
ducts that line the medullary pyramids. The collecting ducts amass contents from multiple nephrons
and fuse together as they enter the papillae of the renal medulla.
Similar to PCT, DCT also secretes ions such as hydrogen, potassium, and NH into the filtrate while
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reabsorbing the HCO from the filtrate. Conditional reabsorption of sodium ions and water takes
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place in DCT. Thus, it maintains the pH and sodium-potassium level in the blood cells.
Collecting Duct
Collecting duct is a long, straight tube where H+ and K+ ions are secreted to maintain the electrolyte
balance of the blood. This is also the region where the maximum reabsorption of water takes place
to produce concentrated urine.

Renal Corpuscle
The renal corpuscle consists of a glomerulus surrounded by a Bowman’s capsule. The glomerulus
arises from an afferent arteriole and empties into an efferent arteriole. The smaller diameter of an
efferent arteriole helps to maintain high blood pressure in the glomerulus.
The Bowman’s capsule is divided into three layers:

1. Outer Parietal layer: It is made up of epithelial cells with minute pores of diameter 12nm.
2. Middle Basement membrane: This layer is selectively permeable.
3. Inner Visceral Layer: It consists of large nucleated cells called podocytes which bear finger-
like projections called podocel.

Types of Nephron
There are two types of nephron:

 Cortical nephron
These are the nephrons present within the cortex. These are short and comprise about 80% of the
total nephrons.

 Juxtamedullary nephron
These have long loops of Henle and extend into the medulla. These are about 20%.

Functions of Nephron
The primary function of nephron is removing all waste products including the solid wastes, and other
excess water from the blood, converting blood into the urine, reabsorption, secretion, and excretion
of numerous substances.
As the blood passes through the glomerulus with high pressure, the small molecules are moved into
the glomerular capsules and travel through a winding series of tubules.
The cell present in each tube absorbs different molecules excluding the glucose, water, and other
beneficial molecules which are called ass the ultrafiltrate. As the ultrafiltrate molecules travel down
the tubules they become more and more hypertonic, which results in more amount of water to be
extracted from the ultrafiltrate before it exits the nephrons.
The blood surrounding the nephron travels back into the body through the renal blood vessels, which
are free of toxins and other excess substances. The obtained ultrafiltrate is urine, which travels down
via the collecting duct to the bladder, where it will be stored and released through the urethra.

Conclusion
Though excretion in human beings takes place through lungs, skin, liver, the kidneys are the main
organ of the human excretory system. They are bean-shaped organs, which weighs between 150
to 170 gms and its length ranges from 4 – 5 inches long.
The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space in the abdominal cavity, just below the rib cage
and present in the opposite direction or facing each other on both the left and right side of the
body. The right kidney is slightly smaller and lower than the left kidney.
Compared to males, the total area, size and the weight of the kidneys are smaller in females.
Therefore, both male and female should be careful during their kidney transplantation.
The major functions of the kidneys are to:

1. Maintains the body’s pH

2. Reabsorption of nutrients
3. Regulates blood pressure
4. Excretion of wastes from the body
5. Removal of excess fluid from the body
6. Secret hormones that help in the production of red blood cell, acid regulation, etc.

The functional unit of the kidney is the nephron. Each kidney consists of millions of nephron which
plays a significant role in the filtration and purification of blood. The nephron is divided into two
portions, namely, the glomerulus and the renal tubule and helps in the removal of excess waste from
the body.

What is the main function of a nephron?

A nephron is the structural and functional unit of the kidney. It regulates the concentration of
water and minerals such as sodium by filtering the blood and reabsorbing the important nutrients.
How does a nephron filter blood?
A nephron consists of a filter called glomerulus and a tubule. The glomerulus filters the fluid and
waste products holding back the blood cells and large molecules, especially proteins.
What are the two main parts of a nephron structure?
The two main parts of a nephron structure include:

 Renal tubule
 Renal corpuscle
Where are the nephrons located?
The nephrons are located in the cortex and medulla of the kidney. The cortex contains the renal
corpuscle, distal convoluted tubule and proximal convoluted tubule. Whereas, the medulla
contains the loop of Henle and collecting ducts.
What is the cup-shaped structure surrounding the renal corpuscle
called?
The cup-shaped structure surrounding the renal corpuscle is known as the Bowman’s capsule or
glomerulus that helps in blood filtration.