Word parts
What it means
Each kidney has about a million nephrons. Each one has a glomerulus, a ball of capillaries that filters fluid and waste out of the blood, and a long tubule that takes back what the body needs (water, glucose, salts) and adds more waste. What is left becomes urine. Nephrons do not grow back, so losing them in kidney disease is permanent.
At a glance
| Spanish | nefrona |
|---|---|
| Also written | nephrons |
Related terms
chronic kidney disease
Kidney damage or reduced kidney function that lasts longer than three months.
renal
Relating to the kidneys.
acute kidney injury
A sudden loss of kidney function over hours to days.
diffusion
The movement of particles from an area where they are more concentrated to one where they are less concentrated.