Glomerular capsule

Glomerular capsule (also known as Bowman's capsule) is a cup-like sac at the beginning of the tubular component of a nephron in the mammalian kidney that performs the first step in the filtration of blood to form urine.

Structure

The glomerular capsule encloses the glomerulus, a network of capillaries that is the initial site of filtration in the nephron. The capsule and glomerulus together constitute the renal corpuscle. The glomerular capsule is composed of two layers: an inner visceral layer that directly overlies the glomerulus, and an outer parietal layer.

Function

The glomerular capsule acts as a filter to remove waste products, excess nutrients, and other substances from the blood. The filtered substances are then passed into the renal tubule, where they are further processed to form urine.

Clinical significance

Diseases of the glomerular capsule can lead to kidney disease and renal failure. These include glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the glomeruli, and diabetic nephropathy, a complication of diabetes that affects the kidneys.

See also

• Nephron
• Kidney
• Renal physiology
• Urinary system

References

Glomerular capsule Resources
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