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capsular urine

physiology
Also known as: glomerular filtrate, primary urine

Quick Summary

The term "capsular urine" refers to the initial filtrate formed in the kidneys before it is processed into final urine. This process begins in Bowman's capsule, a cup-shaped structure within the nephron, the functional unit of the kidney. Blood plasma is filtered from the glomerulus into Bowman's capsule, forming this initial fluid, also known as glomerular filtrate or primary urine.12

This filtrate contains water and small solutes but excludes larger molecules like proteins. As it travels through the kidney tubules, essential substances like water and salts are reabsorbed back into the bloodstream, while waste products are concentrated. The final product, urine, is then excreted from the body. The renal capsule itself is a protective fibrous sheath covering the outer surface of the kidney.324

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