NEPHRONS Meaning and
Definition
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Nephrons are the functional units of the kidneys, which are vital organs responsible for maintaining the body's internal environment by filtering blood and producing urine. Nephrons play a critical role in the process of urine formation and help regulate water and electrolyte balance within the body.
Each kidney contains thousands of nephrons, which are microscopic structures composed of a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule. The renal corpuscle consists of a network of microscopic blood vessels called glomerulus and a specialized, double-walled cup-like structure called Bowman's capsule. The glomerulus filters the blood, allowing waste products, electrolytes, and water to pass into the tubule while retaining vital components like red blood cells and proteins.
The filtrate then travels through the renal tubule, where several processes occur to reabsorb necessary substances and eliminate waste products. The nephrons efficiently reabsorb water, glucose, amino acids, and electrolytes, returning them to the bloodstream to maintain balance. In addition, nephrons play a role in regulating blood pressure through the secretion of hormones like renin or erythropoietin.
Overall, nephrons are crucial in maintaining the body's fluid volume, electrolyte concentrations, and acid-base balance, as well as assisting in the excretion of waste products. Their intricate structure and functional mechanisms make them vital components of kidney physiology and overall body homeostasis.
Common Misspellings for NEPHRONS
Etymology of NEPHRONS
The word "nephron" comes from the Greek word "nephros", meaning "kidney". It is derived from Proto-Indo-European roots "nebh" meaning "cloud" and "ulos" meaning "small". This is possibly due to the resemblance of the kidney to a cloudy or nebulous structure.
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