Ace the Certified Nephrology Nurse 2025 Exam – Dive into Dialysis Mastery!

The nephron is indeed the fundamental structural and functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood. Each kidney contains approximately one million nephrons, which perform the critical functions of filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.

Within the nephron, the glomerulus plays a key role by filtering blood under pressure, but it is just one component of the nephron. The filtered fluid then passes through various segments of the nephron, including the proximal tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and finally the collecting duct, where further adjustments occur before the urine is formed.

The collecting duct is involved in the final concentration of urine but is not involved in the initial filtration process. The renal pelvis serves as a funnel for urine as it exits the kidney to enter the ureter, but it does not play a role in filtration.

Understanding the nephron's overall role in kidney function is essential for comprehending how the kidneys maintain homeostasis in the body, deal with waste elimination, and manage fluid and electrolyte balance. Therefore, identifying the nephron as the basic unit responsible for filtering blood sets the foundation for further learning in nephrology.