the Human Body / the-glomerulus-and-filtration
Facts about The Glomerulus and Filtration
- 05
Filtration in the glomerulus depends on the net filtration pressure, which is determined by the balance between hydrostatic and oncotic pressures across the capillary wall.
- 04
Podocytes, specialized cells lining the glomerular capillaries, form filtration slits that act as a critical size-selective barrier during ultrafiltration.
- 03
Each kidney contains roughly one million glomeruli, which together filter approximately 180 liters of blood plasma per day.
- 02
Healthy glomerular filtration selectively retains large proteins like albumin in the blood while allowing smaller molecules to pass into the filtrate.
- 01
Blood pressure drives filtration in the glomerulus, forcing water, ions, and small molecules out of capillaries into the Bowman's capsule.