Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Renal Corpuscle

Renal Corpuscle

The glomerulus and Bowman's capsule are two essential components of the nephron, which is the functional unit of the kidney. These microscopic structures play a critical role in the process of blood filtration to produce urine.
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous capillaries...

Glomerular Filtration

Glomerular Filtration

The filtration membrane in the renal system is a highly specialized structure essential for filtering blood. It consists of glomerular capillaries and podocytes, forming a selective barrier that permits the passage of water and small solutes while restricting most plasma proteins and blood cells.
Components of the Filtration Membrane
The filtration process involves three key layers: the glomerular endothelial cells, the basement membrane, and the podocyte-formed filtration slits.

Kidney Structure

Kidney Structure

The kidneys are two large bean-shaped organs located in the upper abdomen. They filter the blood several times a day to remove toxins and rebalance water and electrolytes of the circulatory system via the renal veins. The kidneys receive blood directly from the heart via the renal arteries. These arteries enter the kidney at the hilum, the concave surface of the bean, where they branch and divide into smaller vessels and capillaries.

Internal Anatomy of the Kidney

Internal Anatomy of the Kidney

The kidneys are essential organs in the human body, performing a myriad of tasks that maintain homeostasis and overall health.
Anatomical Position and Dimensions
The kidneys are retroperitoneal organs positioned against the posterior abdominal wall on either side of the spine, roughly between the twelfth thoracic and third lumbar vertebrae. Each kidney is typically 10-12 cm long, 5-6 cm wide, and 3-4 cm thick, weighing about 150 grams.
Renal Cortex
The outermost region of the kidney is the...

Glomerular Filtration: Net Filtration Pressure

Glomerular Filtration: Net Filtration Pressure

Glomerular filtration, a key process in the kidneys, is regulated by three main pressures: Glomerular blood hydrostatic pressure (GBHP), Capsular hydrostatic pressure (CHP), and Blood colloid osmotic pressure (BCOP).
GBHP, with an average value of 55 mmHg, promotes filtration by pushing water and solutes through the filtration membrane. This is balanced by two opposing forces: CHP, a "back pressure" exerted against the filtration membrane by fluid already in the capsular space and renal tubule,...

Nephrons

Nephrons

The kidneys are intricate organs with millions of working units known as nephrons. Each nephron features two major structures: the renal corpuscle, which facilitates blood plasma filtration, and the renal tubule, which handles the glomerular filtrate. Blood supply is directly linked to the nephrons. The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus, a capillary network, and the Bowman's capsule, a double-walled epithelial structure that encases the glomerulus. The filtering of blood plasma happens...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Dehydration promotes intracellular lipid synthesis and accumulation.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

The Role of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Kidney Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis.

Seminars in nephrology·2026

Same author

Discoidin Domain Receptor 1 Translocation to the Mitochondria Promotes Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Acute Kidney Injury.

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN·2026

Same author

K<sub>ir</sub>5.1-modulated potassium flux stimulates an anabolic kidney phenotype.

iScience·2025

Same author

Use of Bayesian decision analysis in the design of patient-centered clinical trials for kidney failure devices.

Computers in biology and medicine·2025

Same author

Mo-doped CuAl-layered double hydroxide for high-efficiency adsorption of tetracycline hydrochloride in wastewater.

Environmental research·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

An Efficient Sieving Method to Isolate Intact Glomeruli from Adult Rat Kidney

An Efficient Sieving Method to Isolate Intact Glomeruli from Adult Rat Kidney

Published on: November 1, 2018

The glomerulus--a view from the outside--the podocyte.

Huifang Cheng¹, Raymond C Harris

¹Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-2372, USA. huifang.cheng@vanderbilt.edu

The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology

|June 15, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Recent advances in molecular and cellular tools enhance podocyte research, revealing proteins crucial for kidney function and hereditary diseases. New findings suggest podocyte regeneration may occur in mature kidneys.

More Related Videos

Generation of Patient-Derived Podocytes from Skin Biopsies

Generation of Patient-Derived Podocytes from Skin Biopsies

Published on: May 26, 2023

Guided Differentiation of Mature Kidney Podocytes from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Under Chemically Defined Conditions

Guided Differentiation of Mature Kidney Podocytes from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Under Chemically Defined Conditions

Published on: July 2, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

An Efficient Sieving Method to Isolate Intact Glomeruli from Adult Rat Kidney

An Efficient Sieving Method to Isolate Intact Glomeruli from Adult Rat Kidney

Published on: November 1, 2018

Generation of Patient-Derived Podocytes from Skin Biopsies

Generation of Patient-Derived Podocytes from Skin Biopsies

Published on: May 26, 2023

Guided Differentiation of Mature Kidney Podocytes from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Under Chemically Defined Conditions

Guided Differentiation of Mature Kidney Podocytes from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Under Chemically Defined Conditions

Published on: July 2, 2020

Area of Science:

Nephrology
Molecular Biology
Genetics

Background:

Podocyte research has advanced significantly due to new molecular, cellular, and animal tools.
These tools have identified proteins critical for podocyte function and genes implicated in hereditary glomerulopathies.
Podocyte disorders are increasingly recognized as central to both hereditary and acquired glomerular diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in podocyte research.
To highlight the role of podocyte proteins and genes in kidney diseases.
To discuss the pathogenesis and potential regeneration of podocytes.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent studies in podocyte research.
Analysis of molecular, cellular, and animal models.
Examination of genetic and environmental factors in podocytopathies.

Main Results:

Numerous proteins involved in podocyte function have been identified.
Mutated genes in hereditary glomerulopathies have been pinpointed.
Evidence suggests podocyte disorders contribute to a wide range of glomerular diseases.
Rodent studies indicate potential podocyte regeneration from progenitor cells.

Conclusions:

Podocyte research has evolved, revealing complex roles in kidney health and disease.
Podocytopathies involve genetic, environmental, and systemic factors.
The potential for podocyte regeneration offers new therapeutic avenues for glomerular injury.