Renal Corpuscle

Overview

• The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule.
• Glomerulus: A capillary bed that contains blood.
• Bowman's capsule: Where the filtrate goes.

Blood Flow

• Blood flows into the glomerulus through the afferent arteriole.
• Blood leaves the glomerulus via the efferent arteriole.

Structural Analogy

• Bowman's capsule is like a balloon.
• Glomerulus: A net of capillaries punched into the balloon.
• The balloon wraps around the capillaries, forming a double-layered structure.

Layers of Bowman's Capsule

• Parietal layer: Outer layer.
• Visceral layer: Inner layer, unique with specialized cells.

Unique Characteristics

• The visceral layer contains podocytes (cells with foot-like projections).
• The capillaries in the glomerulus are very leaky, with slits allowing easy filtration.
• Podocytes interdigitate, creating a sieve-like filtering system.

Histology Visualization

• Capsular space: The actual space between the parietal and visceral layers where filtrate gathers.
• Proximal convoluted tubule: The fluid goes here after it passes through the capsular space.
• The parietal layer is simple squamous epithelium.
• Podocytes in the visceral layer have foot-like projections that filter the blood.

Important Terms

• Afferent arteriole: Artery bringing blood into the glomerulus.
• Efferent arteriole: Artery carrying blood away from the glomerulus.
• Capsular space: Space where the filtrate gathers.