Loop of Henle

Loop of Henle
Loop of Henle
	Scheme of renal tubule and its vascular supply (loop of Henle visible center-left)
Details
Precursor	Metanephrogenic blastema
Identifiers
Latin	ansa nephroni
MeSH	D008138
FMA	17718 17698, 17718
	Anatomical terminology

In the kidney, the loop of Henle (English: /ˈhɛnli/) (or Henle's loop, Henle loop,^[1] nephron loop^[2] or its Latin counterpart ansa nephroni) is the portion of a nephron that leads from the proximal convoluted tubule to the distal convoluted tubule. Named after its discoverer, the German anatomist Friedrich Gustav Jakob Henle, the loop of Henle's main function is to create a concentration gradient in the medulla of the kidney.^[3]

By means of a countercurrent multiplier system, which uses electrolyte pumps, the loop of Henle creates an area of high urea concentration deep in the medulla, near the papillary duct in the collecting duct system. Water present in the filtrate in the papillary duct flows through aquaporin channels out of the duct, moving passively down its concentration gradient. This process reabsorbs water and creates a concentrated urine for excretion.^[3]

^ Elsevier, Dorland's illustrated Medical Dictionary, Elsevier.
^ H3.06
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference Kaplan.Physio was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Dorlands-1] Elsevier, Dorland's illustrated Medical Dictionary, Elsevier.

[2] H3.06

[Kaplan.Physio-3] Cite error: The named reference Kaplan.Physio was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[1]

[2]

[3]