Cortical nephrons and juxtamedullary nephrons are the two types of nephrons in the kidney. Cortical nephrons have glomeruli located in the upper cortex and have short loop of Henle that do not reach deep into the medulla. Juxtamedullary nephrons have glomeruli located near the cortex-medulla junction and have long loop of Henle that extend deep into the medulla, allowing for more efficient urine concentration via the countercurrent mechanism. The document provides a table comparing the key anatomical and functional differences between cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons.

1. DIFFERENCES
D R N I L E S H N K A T E , P R O F E S S O R , P H Y S I O L O G Y , / D I F F E R E N C E S Page 3
Difference Between
Cortical Nephron & Juxtamedullary Nephron.
CORTICAL NEPHRON JUXTAMEDULLARY
NEPHRON.
1
Glomerulus is in
upper region of
cortex.
Glomerulus is near
junction of cortex &
medulla.
2 85 % 15 %
3
Glomeruli size is
small
Glomeruli size is Large
4
Loop of Henle small
up to outer layer of
medulla.
1)Loop of Henle large deep
into medulla.
5
Ascending limb –
thick segment
Ascending limb – Thin
segment
6
Efferent arteriole –
large diameter &
forms peritubular
capillaries.
Efferent arteriole –
Small diameter & forms
Vasa Recta.
7
Rate of filtration slow Rate of filtration High.
8
Major function –
excretion of waste
products in urine.
Major function –
concentration of Urine
by Counter-current
mechanism