Renal cortex: Definition from Answers.com

Renal cortex

Frontal section through the kidney

subject #253 1221

Kidney+cortex

For other uses, see 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.

Additional images

Kidney

Microscopic cross section of the renal cortex

CD10 immunohistochemical staining of normal kidney. CD10 stains the proximal convoluted tubules and glomeruli.

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

v • d • e Urinary system – Kidney

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

Afferent circulation	Renal artery → Segmental arteries → Interlobar arteries → Arcuate arteries → Interlobular arteries → Afferent arterioles → Renal corpuscle (Glomerulus, Bowman's capsule)

Renal tubule	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 → Ureter

Efferent circulation	Glomerulus → Efferent arterioles → Peritubular capillaries / Vasa recta → Arcuate vein → Interlobar veins → Renal vein

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

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

Renal physiology	Acid base physiology • Fluid balance

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