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RENAL PHYSIOLOGY

Bowman's

capsule

Parietal epithelium

Visceral epithelium

(podocytes)

Mesangial matm and coli

Figurę 6.3 Anatomy of ihe Glomeruius_

Plasma is filtcred at the glomeruius. The filtrate is devoid ot cells and virtually all proteins (norę: proteins and peptidos that are smaller in size than albumin are nltered to varying degrees) The endothelium of the glomeiulus is fonestrated and serves to prevent the filtration ol the ćellular elements of blood. The basement membranę and visceral epithelial cells (podocytesi prevent the filtration ol plasma protein-The macula densa monitors the delivery of NaCI to the distal tubu-and in this way helps regulate renal plasma tlow and the glomem filtration ratę—a process called auloregulation.

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