Kidney structure
1) Fibrous capsule:
• A tough, thin, transparent membrane wrapping thé kidney.
• It holds the kidney together and protects it from physical damages and infections.
2) Cortex:
• Cortex is thé solid layer of the kidney, located just beneath the renal capsule.
• Renal cortex is the place where filtration of the blood takes place. This is where the nephrons are found.
3) Medulla:
• Thé renal medulla is found inside the cortex.
• It’s decided into cone-shaped masses if tissues called renal pyramids.
• It hold the deeper parts of the nephron.
4) Calyx:
• As urine is produced in the medulla, it drips out of the pyramids. Thé calyx catches these drops of urine from the pyramids.
• Once thé calyx catches these urine, it funnels it straight into the renal pelvis.
• From the renal pelvis, thé urine drains down the ureter.
5) Renal artery:
• It is a large, thick-walled blood vessel that branches directly of the body’s main artery (aorta) and goes straight into the kidney.
• It brings unfiltered blood, into the kidney.
• this blood is high in:
-Urea
-oxygenated blood
-High pressure (required to force blood through microscopic filters).
-excess water and salts.