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Renal Corpuscle (Glomerulus)
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- The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney and is composed of the renal corpuscle (glomerulus) and the renal tubule.
- The renal corpuscle consists of Bowman’s capsule and the glomerular capillaries
- Function: plasma filtration
- Glomerular capillaries: invaginate Bowman’s capsule; are lined by endothelial cells, supported by a basement membrane, and are covered by epithelial cells which form the visceral layer of Bowman’s capsule.
- Bowman’s capsule: forms the distended end of the renal tubule; has a visceral layer (epithelial cells) and a parietal layer (simple squamous cells that line the outer wall).
- Bowman’s space: urinary space; cavity between the parietal and visceral layers.
- Mesangium: function as structural support for the capillary loops.
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