- Exam
- NEET
- Subject
- Zoology
- Chapter
- Excretory Products and their Elimination
NEET · Zoology · Excretory Products and their Elimination
What type of nephrons have a highly reduced or absent vasa recta?
Options
- AJuxtamedullary nephrons
- BCortical nephrons
- CRenal columns
- DMedullary pyramids
Correct answer
B. Cortical nephrons
Step-by-step solution
The Malpighian corpuscle, PCT and DCT of the nephron are situated in the cortical region of the kidney whereas the loop of Henle dips into the medulla. In majority of nephrons, the loop of Henle is too short and extends only very little into the medulla. Such nephrons are called cortical nephrons. In some of the nephrons, the loop of Henle is very long and runs deep into the medulla. These nephrons are called juxta medullary nephrons. The efferent arteriole emerging from the glomerulus forms a fine capillary network around the renal tubule called the peritubular capillaries. A minute vessel of this network runs parallel to the Henle’s loop forming a ‘U’ shaped vasa recta. Vasa recta is absent or highly reduced in cortical nephrons.