Renal cortex
Encyclopedia
The renal cortex is the outer portion of the kidney
between the renal capsule
and the renal medulla
. In the adult, it forms a continuous smooth outer zone with a number of projections (cortical columns
) that extend down between the pyramids
. It contains the renal corpuscle
s and the renal tubules except for parts of the loop of Henle
which descend into the renal medulla
. It also contains blood vessels and cortical collecting ducts.
The renal cortex is the part of the kidney
where ultrafiltration
occurs. Erythropoietin
is produced in the renal cortex.
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
between the renal capsule
Renal capsule
The renal capsule is a tough fibrous layer surrounding the kidney and covered in a thick layer of perinephric adipose tissue. It provides some protection from trauma and damage....
and the renal medulla
Renal medulla
The renal medulla is the innermost part of the kidney. The renal medulla is split up into a number of sections, known as the renal pyramids. Blood enters into the kidney via the renal artery, which then splits up to form the arcuate arterioles. The arcuate arterioles each in turn branch into...
. In the adult, it forms a continuous smooth outer zone with a number of projections (cortical columns
Renal column
The renal column is a medullary extension of the renal cortex in between the renal pyramids...
) that extend down between the pyramids
Renal pyramids
Renal pyramids are cone-shaped tissues of the kidney. The renal medulla is made up of 7 to 18 of these conical subdivisions . The broad base of each pyramid faces the renal cortex, and its apex, or papilla, points internally...
. It contains the renal corpuscle
Renal corpuscle
In the kidney, a renal corpuscle is the initial blood-filtering component of a nephron. It consists of two structures: a glomerulus and a Bowman's capsule. The glomerulus is a small tuft of capillaries containing two cell types. Endothelial cells, which have large fenestrae, are not covered by...
s and the renal tubules except for parts of the loop of Henle
Loop of Henle
In the kidney, the loop of Henle is the portion of a nephron that leads from the proximal convoluted tubule to the distal convoluted tubule. Named after its discoverer F. G. J...
which descend into the renal medulla
Renal medulla
The renal medulla is the innermost part of the kidney. The renal medulla is split up into a number of sections, known as the renal pyramids. Blood enters into the kidney via the renal artery, which then splits up to form the arcuate arterioles. The arcuate arterioles each in turn branch into...
. It also contains blood vessels and cortical collecting ducts.
The renal cortex is the part of the kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
where ultrafiltration
Ultrafiltration (renal)
In biological terms, ultrafiltration occurs at the barrier between the blood and the filtrate in the renal corpuscle or Bowman's capsule in the kidneys. The Bowman's capsule contains a dense capillary network called the glomerulus. Blood flows into these capillaries through a wide afferent...
occurs. Erythropoietin
Erythropoietin
Erythropoietin, or its alternatives erythropoetin or erthropoyetin or EPO, is a glycoprotein hormone that controls erythropoiesis, or red blood cell production...
is produced in the renal cortex.