key term - Nephrons

Definition

Nephrons are the functional units of the kidney, each consisting of a glomerulus and its associated tubule, where blood filtration and urine formation occur. They play a critical role in the body's ability to regulate water and soluble substances by filtering the blood, reabsorbing what is needed, and excreting the rest as urine.

Related terms

Glomerulus: A cluster of tiny blood vessels (capillaries) in the nephron where the filtration of blood begins.

Tubule: The part of a nephron that extends from the glomerulus and is responsible for further filtering the filtrate, reabsorbing water and nutrients, and excreting waste products as urine.

Filtration:

The process by which blood plasma is forced through capillary walls into the renal tubules as part of urine formation