Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Assessment of Kidney Function in Mouse Models of Glomerular Disease
Published on: June 30, 2018
Determinants of glomerular cross-sectional area
1Department of Pathology, University of Birmingham, U.K.
Glomerular size is influenced by body size and the number of functioning glomeruli. Glomerular cross-sectional area correlates with global sclerosis, but cellular proliferation, infiltration, or ischaemic shrinkage can alter this relationship.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Renal Pathology
- Glomerular Biology
Background:
- Glomerular size is a key indicator of kidney health.
- Previous studies have linked body size to glomerular area.
- The impact of renal pathology on glomerular dimensions requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between glomerular cross-sectional area and pathological conditions.
- To explore factors influencing glomerular size beyond body mass.
- To correlate glomerular area with the extent of global sclerosis in various renal diseases.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of glomerular cross-sectional area in 267 renal biopsies.
- Analysis of 19 distinct patient groups with defined clinical and pathological conditions.
- Statistical correlation between mean glomerular area and percentage of global sclerosis per group.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was observed between mean glomerular area and global sclerosis percentage across patient groups.
- Some groups exhibited larger glomeruli than predicted by sclerosis, suggesting cellular proliferation or infiltration.
- Other groups showed smaller glomeruli than expected, likely due to ischaemic shrinkage.
Conclusions:
- Glomerular cross-sectional area is influenced by both body size and the number of functioning glomeruli.
- Renal pathologies like cellular proliferation, infiltration, and ischaemia can significantly alter glomerular size.
- These findings highlight the complex interplay of factors affecting glomerular dimensions in kidney disease.
Related Concept Videos
Renal Corpuscle
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...
Glomerular Filtration Rate and its Regulation
GFR regulation involves two primary intrinsic controls: the myogenic and tubuloglomerular feedback mechanisms.
The myogenic...
Renal Drug Excretion: Glomerular Filtration
Drugs gain access to the kidney via the renal artery, which progressively branches off into afferent arterioles....
Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Drug's Physicochemical Properties and Plasma Levels
One important factor is the drug's molecular size. The kidneys readily excrete smaller molecules below 300 Daltons (Da). On the other hand, molecules weighing between 300 and 500 Da are excreted through both urine and bile. Larger molecules above 500 Da tend to be excreted...
Glomerular Filtration: Net Filtration Pressure
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...
Physiology of the Genitourinary System I: Renal Blood Flow and Glomerular Filtration

