-Kidney

Mouse Nephrology

Both mice and humans have two kidneys that are organized into three layers: the renal capsule (a fibrous outer layer), the cortex (a peripheral layer) and the medulla (an inner layer). The medulla and cortex are further organized into renal lobes, which are made up of pyramidal structures. Urine that is filtered within each lobe drains from the papilla (the tip of the pyramid) into minor and major callices that empty the urine into the renal pelvis. The urine is then transmitted through the ureter to the bladder. Each renal lobe is further organized into functional units called nephrons. Nephrons have a distinct structure, which consists of a glomerular blood filter that contains podocytes and a tubular epithelium, which loops into the medulla. The tubule is further divided into proximal, intermediate, and distal segments. These segments are important for the modification and recovery of the glomerular filtrate, which is the main function of the kidney.

Figure 1. Similarities and differences between mouse and human kidneys

Figure 2. Structure of a mammalian kidney