glomerulus

views updated May 18 2018

glo·mer·u·lus / glōˈmeryələs/ • n. (pl. -li / -ˌlī/ ) Anat. & Biol. a cluster of nerve endings, spores, or small blood vessels, in particular: ∎  a cluster of capillaries around the end of a kidney tubule, where waste products are filtered from the blood.DERIVATIVES: glo·mer·u·lar / -lər/ adj.

glomerulus

views updated May 18 2018

glomerulus (pl. glomeruli) A tangled mass of blood capillaries enclosed by the cup-shaped end (Bowman's capsule) of a kidney tubule (see nephron). Fluid is filtered from these capillaries into the Bowman's capsule and down the nephron (see glomerular filtrate).

glomerulus

views updated May 21 2018

glomerulus (glom-e-roo-lŭs) n. (pl. glomeruli)
1. the network of blood capillaries contained within the cuplike end (Bowman's capsule) of a nephron. It is the site of primary filtration of waste products from the blood into the kidney tubule.

2. any other small rounded mass.
glomerular adj.

glomerulus

views updated May 29 2018

glomerulus A structure composed of a leaky arterial capillary bundle encapsulated in a Bowman’s capsule at the end of a nephron.