Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Renal cortex
Introduction
The renal cortex is the outer portion of the kidney between the renal capsule and the renal medulla. In the adult, it forms a continuous smooth outer zone with a number of projections (cortical columns) that extend down between the pyramids. It contains the renal corpuscles and the renal tubules except for parts of the loop of Henle which descend into the renal medulla. It also contains blood vessels and cortical collecting ducts.
The renal cortex is the part of the kidney where ultrafiltration occurs.
Additional images
Additional images
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Kidney -
Microscopic cross section of the renal cortex
External links
External links
- Template:SUNYAnatomyLabs – “Posterior Abdominal Wall: Internal Structure of a Kidney”