What is the Difference Between Cortical Nephron and Juxtamedullary Nephron?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Cortical nephrons and juxtamedullary nephrons are two types of nephrons found in the kidneys, and they differ in their location, structure, and function. Nephrons are the functional units of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and generating urine:
Cortical Nephrons:
- Found in the renal cortex.
- Make up about 85% of all nephrons.
- Perform mainly excretory and regulatory functions.
- Have a glomerulus located nearer to the outer parts of the cortex, and their loops of Henle are short.
- The peritubular capillary network surrounds the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) and distal convoluted tubule (DCT) in cortical nephrons.
Juxtamedullary Nephrons:
- Found in the renal cortex close to the renal medulla.
- Make up about 15% of all nephrons.
- Concentrate and dilute urine.
- Have a glomerulus near the junction of the cortex and medulla, and their loops of Henle penetrate deep into the medulla.
- The peritubular capillary network forms a network around the loop of Henle and is called the vasa recta in juxtamedullary nephrons.
In summary, cortical nephrons are more numerous and primarily responsible for excretion and regulation, while juxtamedullary nephrons play a role in concentrating and diluting urine.
Comparative Table: Cortical Nephron vs Juxtamedullary Nephron
Here is a table comparing the differences between cortical nephrons and juxtamedullary nephrons:
Feature | Cortical Nephron | Juxtamedullary Nephron |
---|---|---|
Location | Cortex | Medulla |
Loop of Henle | Short, penetrates only the outer renal medulla | Long, extends deep into the renal medulla |
Glomerulus | Located in the cortex | Located at the border of cortex and medulla |
Blood Supply | Less concentrated | More concentrated |
Function | More involved in filtration and reabsorption | Specialized for the production of concentrated urine |
Cortical nephrons are located in the cortex region of the kidney and have a short loop of Henle, which penetrates only the outer renal medulla. They are more involved in filtration and reabsorption, and their blood supply is less concentrated. On the other hand, juxtamedullary nephrons are located in the medulla and have a long loop of Henle that extends deep into the renal medulla. They are specialized for the production of concentrated urine and have a more concentrated blood supply.
- Renal Cortex vs Renal Medulla
- Nephron vs Neuron
- Pronephric Mesonephric vs Metanephric Kidney
- Chronic Glomerulonephritis vs Chronic Interstitial Nephritis
- Adrenal Cortex vs Adrenal Medulla
- Nephridia vs Malpighian Tubules
- Nephrologist vs Urologist
- Pyelonephritis vs Glomerulonephritis
- Glomerulonephritis vs Nephrotic Syndrome
- Nephrostomy vs Urostomy
- Cancellous vs Cortical Bone
- Dialysis vs Hemodialysis
- Left vs Right Kidney
- Vasa Recta vs Peritubular Capillaries
- Paracrine vs Juxtacrine
- Ureter vs Urethra
- Proximal vs Distal Convoluted Tubule
- Ascending vs Descending Loop of Henle
- Diuresis vs Natriuresis