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Podocyte
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A podocyte is a cell in the glomerulus, the kidney’s microscopic filter. Picture a hand with many fine fingers wrapped around a capillary. Those “fingers” are called foot processes, and they interlock with processes from neighboring podocytes.
Thin diaphragms cover the filtration slits between them. This layer works with the capillary endothelium and basement membrane to form the filtration barrier, allowing some substances through while keeping others in the blood.
In brief
A podocyte is a specialized epithelial cell that covers the outside of glomerular capillaries and forms the visceral layer of Bowman’s capsule. It supports these capillaries and contributes to the barrier that filters blood to begin urine formation.
Its extensions end in foot processes that interlock around the capillaries. Thin diaphragms cover the filtration slits between neighboring foot processes. Together with the capillary endothelium and basement membrane, this architecture helps separate filterable substances from components that should remain in the blood.
Fine fingers wrapping around capillaries.
Sources (1)
- NCBI Bookshelf, U.S. National Library of MedicineHistology, Kidney and GlomerulusPublished
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