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How does the loop of Henle travel between the cortex and medulla?
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renal system
Diagram showing the location of the kidneys in the abdominal cavity and their attachment to major arteries and veins.
The loop of Henle functions as a U-shaped segment of the nephron that facilitates the exchange of water and sodium chloride between the renal cortex and the medulla.21
The tubule descends from the cortex into a renal pyramid within the medulla, where it makes a U-shaped turn before returning to the cortex at a point near its original entry. The depth of this descent varies based on the location of the glomerulus:1
- Juxtamedullary nephrons: These possess long loops that extend deeply into the medulla, which is critical for concentrating urine.1
- Cortical nephrons: These have much shorter loops that do not penetrate as deeply into the medullary tissue.1
By traveling between these regions, the loop of Henle creates a concentration gradient that allows the kidney to reabsorb water and salt, enabling the production of urine that is significantly more concentrated than blood plasma.21