The kidneys are the two most important organs for the body’s urinary system to function correctly. There is the filtration and the processes of absorption and reabsorption of water, salts, and other nutrients that arrive to produce urine.
In addition to filtering water through urine, other functions such as glucose synthesis or blood processing and the elimination of harmful substances and waste must be added. Although they only represent 1% of the human body, if it were not for their purifying function, the toxins in the body would accumulate in the bloodstream, putting the body’s functioning at risk.
Between 9 and 12 centimeters in length and weighing approximately 160 grams, these organs are located one on each side of the spinal column, in the lower area of the rib cage, the left being located a little lower than the left since on top of it is the liver.
Like all organs, the kidneys have a complex structure that can be differentiated into different components, the renal cortex being one of the most important. Next, in FastlyHeal, we will give you the Definition of the renal cortex and its primary functions, in addition to listing the other parts of the kidney vital for the functioning of the urinary system.
Table of Contents
What is the renal cortex?
The renal cortex or cortical zone is the soft, granular-looking layer that lines the outer area of the kidneys. This area reaches about 90% of the blood flow necessary to carry out kidney functions; in addition, in the cortical region of each kidney, we can find around 1 million nephrons responsible for cleaning the blood plasma, the residues of which they will serve to produce urine and to be later expelled out of the body.
The most extensive of the nephrons that populate the renal cortex is the renal tubules, which with a length of between 30 mm and 40 mm, modify the composition of the ultrafiltrate carried out by the glomerulus through reabsorption and secretion; with The objective is to return to the body the substances that may still be useful and to expel, through the formation of urine, those that may be harmful to the body.
Other parts of the kidney
Beyond the renal cortex, these are the parts that make up the structure of the kidney:
- The renal capsule is the transparent, fibrous membrane that lines the kidney and the outer layer of the ureter.
- The ureter is the approximately 25 cm tubules from the renal pelvis. About 2 liters of urine per day flow from the kidneys to the bladder through them.
- The medullary area is another part that makes up the kidney; in turn, its structure is formed by Malpighi pyramids, which point towards the pelvis with their vertex. These pyramids are traversed by holes through which urine is poured into the loop of Henle and the collecting tubules.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.