Renal pyramid

Renal pyramid

The renal pyramid (also known as Malpighian pyramid) is a conical structure in the kidney that plays a crucial role in the organ's function. It is named after Marcello Malpighi, a 17th-century Italian physician who made significant contributions to the study of the kidney.

Anatomy

Renal pyramids are located in the medulla of the kidney. Each kidney contains approximately 8 to 18 of these structures. The base of each pyramid faces the cortex, while the apex, also known as the renal papilla, points internally towards the renal pelvis. The pyramids appear striped due to the parallel bundles of tubules and blood vessels.

Function

The primary function of the renal pyramids is to filter blood and create urine. This process involves three main steps: filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.

Filtration occurs in the glomerulus, a network of tiny blood vessels located at the beginning of the tubule. The glomerulus filters out waste products, excess substances, and a small amount of water from the blood.

Reabsorption is the process by which certain substances are reabsorbed back into the blood. This occurs in the proximal convoluted tubule, the loop of Henle, and the distal convoluted tubule.

Secretion is the final step, where additional waste products are removed from the blood and into the urine. This occurs in the distal convoluted tubule and the collecting duct.

Clinical significance

Diseases that affect the renal pyramids can lead to serious health problems. For example, pyelonephritis is a type of urinary tract infection that can cause inflammation of the renal pyramids. Renal papillary necrosis is a condition where the renal papillae die, which can lead to kidney failure.

See also

• Kidney
• Renal physiology
• Nephron
• Renal corpuscle
• Renal tubule

References

Renal pyramid Resources
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