2.70 Nephron Structure

2.70 describe the structure of a nephron, to include Bowman’s capsule and glomerulus, convoluted tubules, loop of Henlé and collecting duct

Nephron - functional unit of the kidney (filtration, controlling of composition of blood)

Aorta - taking blood into the kidney (renal artery)
Urine goes down into the ureters and into the bladder for excretion
Filtered blood goes back into the bloodstream through the renal vein (returns to the vena cava)

- Cortex
- Medulla
- Pelvic region - Space where the urine collects and drains down into the ureter

Kidney made up of millions of tubular structures (nephrons)
Tube starts on the edge of the medulla - dead end structure shown in diagram

Bowman's capsule - the dead end structure

Nephron - Tubular structure

Convoluted tubules - twisted sections
Dip in the nephron - Loop of Henlé

Bowman's Capsule - contains tight knot blood vessels [Glomerulus]

First twisted section - PCT (Proximal convoluted tubules)
Second twisted section - DCT (Distal convoluted tubules)

Source: http://www.beltina.org/pics/nephron.jpg