The renal cortex is the pale outer layer of kidney tissue, lying just beneath the capsule. It holds the glomeruli and most of the convoluted tubules of the nephrons, and it dips down between the pyramids as the renal columns. It receives about 90% of the kidney's blood flow.
| Location | Outer zone of the kidney between the capsule and the bases of the renal pyramids, extending inward as the renal columns |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Renal plexus |
| Blood Supply | Interlobular (cortical radiate) arteries; Afferent arterioles |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Filters blood in the glomeruli and reabsorbs most of the filtered water, salt, glucose and amino acids in the convoluted tubules.
Most filtering happens in the cortex, so diseases of the glomeruli show up as cortical damage. Thinning of the cortex on ultrasound is a sign of chronic kidney disease. Severe shock, obstetric haemorrhage or sepsis can cause patchy or complete death of cortical tissue (cortical necrosis), which often leads to permanent kidney failure.
Death of cortical tissue from severely reduced blood flow, typically in obstetric emergencies or septic shock. It often causes irreversible kidney failure.
Inflammation of the glomeruli within the cortex, causing blood and protein in the urine, swelling and high blood pressure.
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