It receives the glomerular filtrate from the Bowman's space
Resorption of water, glucose, various ions, amino acids and small proteins occurs in this part of the nephron
The luminal surface of the proximal convoluted tubule has numerous microvilli to increase the surface area for absorbtion to take place
Loop of Henle
This starts in the cortex but passes into the medulla and then "loops back" into the cortex
The middle part of the Loop of Henle is formed of a simple squamous epithelium
This thin part is located in the medulla and forms part of a structural association with blood capillaries and collecting ducts which is essential for the concentration of the urine (countercurrent mechanism)
Distal convoluted tubule
This part lies in the cortex of the kidney
It is composed of a simple cuboidal epithelium
Ion resorption takes place in this part of the nephron
The luminal surface has no significant microvillous border
Electron Micrograph of Cell of Proximal Convoluted Tubule:
Nucleus
Microvilli
Area containing endocytic vesicles and small lysosomes
Micrograph of Kidney Cortex:
Renal corpuscles
Proximal convoluted tubules These cells are more densely stained than the cells of the distal convoluted tubules due to the large number of organelles and inclusions they contain
Notice that the luminal surface of the cells of the proximal convoluted tubule appears fuzzy
What surface projection is causing this fuzziness?