Parts


Cells:

  • Glomerulus:
    • podocytes
    • parietal epithelial cells
    • endothelial cells
    • mesangial cells
  • Proximal convoluted tubule brush border cell.
  • Loop of Henle thin segment cell.
  • Thick ascending limb cell.
  • Distal convoluted tubule cell.
    • macula densa
  • Collecting duct principal cell.
  • Collecting duct intercalated cell.

The Filtration Unit: 

  • Bowman’s Capsule
  • Renal Corpuscle
  • Nephron
    • Proximal Convoluted Tubule
    • Descending Loop of Henle
    • Ascending Loop of Henle
    • Distal Convoluted Tubule
    • Collecting Duct

The Kidney: 

  • Cortex
  • Medulla
  • Lobules: all the nephrons connecting to a common collecting duct 
  • Lobes: a medullary pyramid with its overlying cortex 

kidney, cortex, medulla, pyramids, calyces, pelvis, ureter, the common vein, Ashley Davidoff MD
Artistic rendering of the parts of the kidney, showing (from outside to inside), cortex, medulla, pyramids, (orange), calyces, pelvis, and ureter.


Cortex – Bowman’s Capsule and Proximal tubules Courtesy Dr Alex Perepletchikov
Bowman’s Capsule Courtesy Dr Alex Perepletchikov
Medulla Courtesy Dr Alex Perepletchikov