The glomerular capsule, or Bowman capsule, is the double-walled cup at the start of the nephron that surrounds the glomerulus. Its inner layer is made of podocytes hugging the capillaries, and its outer layer is a thin sheet of flat cells. Filtrate collects in the space between them and flows into the proximal tubule.
| Location | Renal cortex, surrounding each glomerulus |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Blood Supply | Afferent arteriole (via glomerulus) |
Collects the filtrate produced by the glomerulus and directs it into the proximal convoluted tubule.
In severe glomerular inflammation, cells pile up in Bowman space forming 'crescents', a sign of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis that needs urgent treatment. Raised pressure in Bowman space from urinary obstruction reduces filtration. Together with the glomerulus, the capsule forms the renal corpuscle.
Proliferation of cells within Bowman space that compresses the glomerulus, causing rapid loss of kidney function.
Blocked urine flow raises pressure back through the tubules into Bowman space, lowering the filtration rate.
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