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Which structures form a nephron?

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Human kidneys — renal system Diagram showing the location of the kidneys in the abdominal cavity and their attachment to major arteries and veins.

A nephron is the functional unit of the kidney, responsible for producing urine by filtering blood and reabsorbing essential substances. Each nephron consists of two primary components: the renal corpuscle and the renal tubule.123

The Renal Corpuscle

The renal corpuscle is the filtration unit of the nephron, composed of two structures:3
* Glomerulus: A cluster of microscopic capillaries where blood is filtered.14
* Bowman’s capsule: A double-walled, cuplike structure that surrounds the glomerulus and collects the filtered fluid.143

The Renal Tubule

The renal tubule is a long, fine tube that processes the filtrate collected by the capsule. It is divided into several distinct segments:12
* Proximal convoluted tubule: The initial section where most essential substances, such as glucose and amino acids, are reabsorbed into the blood.52
* Loop of Henle: A U-shaped segment that extends into the renal medulla, playing a critical role in the concentration of urine through the recovery of water and sodium chloride.52
* Distal convoluted tubule: The final portion of the tubule, which leads to the collecting tubule for transport to the renal pelvis.2