The nephron is the structural and functional unit of the kidney, with approximately 1.3 million nephrons per kidney that cannot regenerate. Nephrons consist of a renal corpuscle, which includes the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule, and renal tubules, with various segments for different functions. There are two main types of nephrons: cortical nephrons, which constitute 85% of the total and are located in the outer cortex, and juxtamedullary nephrons, which are deeper and play a critical role in urine concentration.

1. NEPHRON
Source: The Guyton and Hall physiology
Maryam Fida(o-1827)

2. • Structural and Functional unit of kidney is called
nephron.
• There are about 1.3 million nephron in each kidney.
• New nephrons can not be regenerated by kidneys.
• Functioning nephrons decrease about 10 % every 10
years at the age of 40.
• At the age of 80, there are 40 % of functioning nephrons
as compared to 40 yrs.
Structure of Nephron

3. PARTS OF NEPHRON
1. RENAL CORPUSCLE
2. RENAL TUBULES

5. It is formed by two parts.
1. GLOMERULUS
2. BOWMAN’S CAPSULE
RENAL CORPUSCLE

6. 1- Glomerulus:
• It consists of tuft of glomerular capillaries.
• There is anastomosing & branching network of glomerular
capillaries.
• Glomerular capillaries have high hydrostatic pressure (nearly
60 mm Hg) as compared with other capillaries.
• Glomerulus is surrounded by a membranous cover called
Bowman’s capsule.
• Each glomerulus is about 0.2 mm in diameter.
• Glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule together constitute renal
corpuscle.

7. Glomerular filtrate collects in capsular
space, flows into renal tubule
Renal Corpuscle

8. • Fluid which is filter
Renal tubules
and collecting
Duct

9. 2- Renal Tubules:
Each renal tubule is divided into
various part as they have different
functions.
i- Proximal convulated tubule.
It is continuation of Bowman’s
capsule.
ii- Loop of Henle. It is continuation of
prox. conv. tubule.
• * Loop of Henle has three parts.
a- descending limb,
b- u turn or bend in medulla and
c- ascending limb.
• Ascending limb has initial thin
segment followed by thick segment.
• At the end of thick ascending limb,
there is short segment called
macula densa, which plays
important role in controlling
functions of nephron.

10. • iii- Distal convulated tubule. It is
continuation of loop of Henle,
starting in renal cortex.
• Last portion of it is called cortical
collecting tubule.
• iv- Collecting duct.
It is formed by fusion of many
collecting tubules.
*It carries urine into pelvi-calyceal
spaces
i.e renal pelvis through tips of renal
papillae.
• Vasa recta extend downward
into medulla lying side by side
with loops of Henle.
• This specialized network of
capillaries in medulla plays a
vital role in formation of
concentrated urine.

12. Cortical nephrons J.M nephrons
1- Located in outer cortex.
2- Have short loops of Henle.
3- Blood Supply is through
peritubular capillaries .
4- In human kidney 85%
Of nephron are cortical nephron
5- blood flow through cortex is
rapid
6. Function is formation of urine
1- Located deeply in cortex.
2- Have long loops of Henle.
3- Blood Supply is through vasa
recta.
4- 25% nephron
5-blood flow through vasa recta
in medulla is slow
6. Function is mainly the
concentration of urine and
formation of urine.
Difference b/w cortical & jexta-
medullary nephrons