Renal cortex: Definition from Answers.com

Renal cortex

Frontal section through the kidney

subject #253 1221

Kidney+cortex

The renal cortex is the outer portion of the kidney between the renal capsule and the renal medulla. In the adult, it forms a continuous smooth outer zone with a number of projections (cortical columns) that extend down between the pyramids. It contains the renal corpuscles and the renal tubules except for parts of the loop of Henle which descend into the renal medulla. It also contains blood vessels and cortical collecting ducts.

The renal cortex is the part of the kidney where ultrafiltration occurs. Erythropoietin is produced in the renal cortex.

Additional images

Kidney
Microscopic cross section of the renal cortex
CD10 immunohistochemical staining of normal kidney. CD10 stains the proximal convoluted tubules and glomeruli.

Contains afferent arterioles

SUNY Labs 40:06-0103 - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: Internal Structure of a Kidney"

Abdomen

Layers	Renal fascia • Renal capsule • Renal cortex (Renal column) • Renal medulla (Renal sinus, Renal pyramids, medullary interstitium) • Renal lobe • Cortical lobule • Medullary ray • Nephron

Intrarenal arteries	(Renal artery) → Segmental arteries → Interlobar arteries → Arcuate arteries → Interlobular arteries → Afferent arterioles

Renal tubule	Renal corpuscle (Glomerulus, Bowman's capsule) → Proximal tubule → Loop of Henle (Descending, Thin ascending, Thick ascending) → Distal convoluted tubule → Connecting tubule → Collecting ducts aka Duct of Belini → Renal papilla → Minor calyx → Major calyx → Renal pelvis

Intrarenal veins	Efferent arterioles → Peritubular capillaries / Vasa recta → Arcuate vein → Interlobar veins → (Renal vein)

JGA	Macula densa • Juxtaglomerular cells • Mesangium/Extraglomerular mesangial cell

Filtration	Glomerular basement membrane • Podocyte • Filtration slits • Mesangium/Intraglomerular mesangial cell • Tubular fluid

Pelvis

Bladder	Apex • Uvula • Neck • Median umbilical ligament • Muscular layer (Trigone • Detrusor) • Mucosa • Submucosa

Urethra	Urethral sphincters (External sphincter muscle of male urethra, External sphincter muscle of female urethra, Internal sphincter muscle of urethra)

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