Renal cortex
Cortex renis
Definition
The renal cortex of the kidney is the outermost region of the kidney parenchyma, lying just beneath the renal capsule and surrounding the deeper medulla. It contains the renal corpuscles (glomeruli and Bowman's capsules), proximal and distal convoluted tubules, and a rich network of blood vessels and interstitial cells.
The primary functions of the renal cortex include filtration of blood to form urine, regulation of electrolyte and fluid balance, and production of erythropoietin by cortical fibroblasts, which acts as the main oxygen sensor for erythropoietin release.
The cortex is distinguished from the medulla by its higher density of glomeruli and convoluted tubules, and it is the principal site of glomerular filtration and much of the tubular reabsorption and secretion. The cortical interstitium contains fibroblasts and dendritic cells, which play roles in structural support, immune surveillance, and response to injury.
The cortex is also characterized by a high renal blood flow and oxygen tension, which are critical for its metabolic and endocrine functions.
References
1.The Renal Cortical Interstitium: Morphological and Functional Aspects.Kaissling B, Le Hir M.Histochemistry and Cell Biology. 2008;130(2):247-62. doi:10.1007/s00418-008-0452-5.
2.Properties Permitting the Renal Cortex to Be the Oxygen Sensor for the Release of Erythropoietin: Clinical Implications.Halperin ML, Cheema-Dhadli S, Lin SH, Kamel KS.Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN. 2006;1(5):1049-53. doi:10.2215/CJN.00100106.
3.Accounting for Oxygen in the Renal Cortex: A Computational Study of Factors That Predispose the Cortex to Hypoxia.Lee CJ, Gardiner BS, Ngo JP, et al.American Journal of Physiology. Renal Physiology. 2017;313(2):F218-F236. doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00657.2016.
