Juxtaglomerular apparatus

Juxtaglomerular apparatus
A renal corpuscle, showing the juxtaglomerular apparatus with Juxtaglomerular cells (granular cells), Macula densa cells and, extraglomerular mesangium.
Identifiers
MeSHD007606
FMA83599
Anatomical terminology

The juxtaglomerular apparatus (also known as the juxtaglomerular complex) is a structure in the kidney that regulates the function of each nephron, the functional units of the kidney. The juxtaglomerular apparatus is named because it is next to (juxta-[1]) the glomerulus.

The juxtaglomerular apparatus consists of three types of cells:

  1. the macula densa, in the distal straight tubule (thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle), after which the distal convoluted tubule begins [2][3]
  2. juxtaglomerular cells, (also known as granular cells) which secrete renin
  3. extraglomerular mesangial cells

The basal lamina is absent between macula densa and juxtaglomerular cells to allow direct contact between these cells.[4]

  1. ^ "Dictionary.com". Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  2. ^ Gonzalez-Vicente, Agustin; Saez, Fara; Monzon, Casandra M.; Asirwatham, Jessica; Garvin, Jeffrey L. (2019). "Thick Ascending Limb Sodium Transport in the Pathogenesis of Hypertension". Physiological Reviews. 99 (1): 235–309. doi:10.1152/physrev.00055.2017. PMC 6335098. PMID 30354966.
  3. ^ Koeppen, Bruce M.; Stanton, Bruce A. (2013). "Glomerular Filtration and Renal Blood Flow". Renal Physiology. pp. 27–43. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-08691-2.00003-X. ISBN 978-0-323-08691-2.
  4. ^ Gartner, Leslie P. (2017). Textbook of Histology (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier. pp. 512–513. ISBN 978-0-323-35563-6.