MALPIGHIAN BODY Meaning and
Definition
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A Malpighian body, also known as a renal corpuscle, is a structural unit found in the kidney responsible for the initial stages of urine formation. It is a compact, round-shaped structure composed of two major components: the glomerulus and the Bowman's capsule.
The glomerulus is a tuft of specialized capillaries that receive blood supply from the afferent arteriole and filter plasma under high pressure. It functions as a molecular sieve, allowing small molecules, such as water, ions, and waste products, to pass through while retaining larger substances, such as proteins and blood cells. This filtration process is governed by intricate mechanisms involving blood pressure regulation and hormone control.
The Bowman's capsule, on the other hand, surrounds the glomerulus like a cup and collects the filtrate that is released from the capillary network. It consists of two layers, an inner parietal layer made of simple squamous epithelium and an outer visceral layer composed of specialized cells called podocytes. The podocytes have unique foot-like projections called pedicels that wrap around the glomerulus, creating filtration slits where the filtrate is further controlled.
Together, the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule form the main filtering unit of the kidney. They work in synergy to initiate the formation of urine by filtering the blood and selectively reabsorbing essential substances back into the circulation. The Malpighian body is a crucial component of the renal system, contributing to the maintenance of body fluid balance, electrolyte regulation, and waste removal.
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Etymology of MALPIGHIAN BODY
The word Malpighian is derived from the surname of Marcello Malpighi, an Italian physician and biologist who made significant contributions to the field of anatomy and histology during the 17th century. Marcello Malpighi, considered the father of microscopical anatomy, conducted extensive research on the structure and function of various organs, including the kidneys.
He discovered the small, ball-shaped structures in the kidney that are now known as Malpighian bodies or renal corpuscles, which are responsible for the filtration of blood and the production of urine.
Due to his groundbreaking work in the field of medicine and his contribution to the understanding of renal anatomy, these structures were named after him, hence the term Malpighian bodies.
