Renal corpuscle

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Renal corpuscle
Glomerulus is red; Bowman's capsule is green.
Distribution of bloodvessels in cortex of kidney.
Latin	corpusculum renis
Gray's	subject #253 1221

In the kidney, a renal corpuscle is the initial filtering component of a nephron. It consists of two structures:

• a glomerulus, a small network of capillaries
• a Bowman's capsule, a sac-like structure enclosing the glomerulus.

Fluid from blood in the glomerulus is collected in the Bowman's capsule to form "glomerular filtrate", which is then further processed along the nephron to form urine.

[edit] Eponym

A renal corpuscle is also known as a Malpighian corpuscle, named after Marcello Malpighi (1628-1694), an Italian physician and biologist. This name is not used widely anymore, probably to avoid confusion with a Malpighian corpuscle in the spleen.

[edit] Additional images

Glomerulus is red; Bowman's capsule is white.

Glomerulus.

[edit] External links

• Dictionary at eMedicine Renal+corpuscle
• Histology at BU 16003loa

v • d • e Urinary system - Kidney

Renal fascia, Renal capsule, Renal cortex  (Renal column), Renal medulla (Renal sinus, Renal pyramids), Renal lobe, Cortical lobule, Medullary ray, Nephron afferent circulation: Renal artery → Interlobar arteries → Arcuate arteries → Cortical radial arteries → Afferent arterioles → Renal corpuscle (Glomerulus, Bowman's capsule) kidney tubule: Proximal tubule → Loop of Henle (Descending, Thin ascending, Thick ascending)  → Distal convoluted tubule → Connecting tubule → Collecting ducts → Duct of Bellini → Renal papilla → Minor calyx → Major calyx → Renal pelvis → Ureter efferent circulation: Glomerulus → Efferent arterioles → Peritubular capillaries/Vasa recta → Arcuate vein→ Interlobar veins→ Renal vein juxtaglomerular apparatus: Macula densa, Juxtaglomerular cells, Extraglomerular mesangial cells filtration: Glomerular basement membrane - Podocyte - Filtration slits - Intraglomerular mesangial cells