The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney, with each kidney containing approximately one million nephrons. The nephron comprises several segments:
- Glomerulus: A tuft of capillaries involved in the filtration of blood. - Bowman's Capsule: A double-walled capsule surrounding the glomerulus, forming the renal corpuscle. - Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT): Responsible for reabsorbing nutrients, ions, and water. - Loop of Henle: A U-shaped structure crucial for concentrating urine. - Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT): Involved in the selective reabsorption and secretion of ions. - Collecting Duct: Transports urine from the nephrons to the renal pelvis.
