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what are the parts of nephron?
Tiny, tubular structures that stretch across both regions perpendicular to the surface of the kidney. In each kidney, there are one million of these structures, called nephrons. The nephron is the basic unit of the kidney. It's a long, thin tube that is closed at one end, has two twisted regions interspaced with a long hairpin loop, ends in a long straight portion and is surrounded by capillaries.The parts of the nephron are as follows:


    Bowman's capsule - This closed end at the beginning of the nephron is located in the cortex.
    Proximal convoluted tubule or proximal tubule - The first twisted region after the Bowman's capsule; it's in the cortex.
    Loop of Henle - A long, hairpin loop after the proximal tubule, it extends from the cortex down into the medulla and back.
    Distal convoluted tubule or distal tubule - This second twisted portion of the nephron after the loop of Henle is located in the cortex.
    Distal convoluted tubule or distal tubule - This second twisted portion of the nephron after the loop of Henle is located in the cortex.
    Collecting duct - This long straight portion after the distal tubule that is the open end of the nephron extends from the cortex down through the medulla.

Each part of the nephron has different types of cells with different properties -- this is important in understanding how the kidney regulates the composition of the blood.

The nephron has a unique blood supply compared to other organs:

    Afferent arteriole - connects the renal artery with the glomerular capillaries
    Glomerular capillaries - coiled capillaries that are inside the Bowman's capsule
    Efferent arteriole - connects the glomerular capillaries with the peritubular capillaries
    Peritubular capillaries - located after the glomerular capillaries and surrounding the proximal tubule, loop of Henle, and distal tubule
    Interlobular veins - drain the peritubular capillaries into the renal vein.


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