Nephron Structure (Edexcel IGCSE Biology (Modular))

Kidney Structure

• There are three regions of the kidney

  • Cortex - the outermost region

  • Medulla - the inner section of the kidney

  • Renal pelvis - the tube linking the kidney to the ureter

• Each kidney contains around a million tiny structures called nephrons, also known as kidney tubules or renal tubules

• Nephrons start in the cortex of the kidney, loop down into the medulla and back up to the cortex

• The contents of the nephrons drain into the renal pelvis and the urine collects there before it flows into the ureter to be carried to the bladder for storage

The structure and location of the kidney

The nephron

• The nephron consists of the following sections:

  • Bowman's capsule, which surround the glomerulus

  • Proximal convoluted tubule

  • Loop of Henlé

  • Distal convoluted tubule

  • Collecting duct

• Surrounding the tubule is a network of capillaries with a knotted section which sits inside the Bowman's capsule

Structure of a nephron