Nephron, functional unit of the kidney, the structure that actually produces urine in the process of removing waste and excess substances from the blood. There are about 1,000,000 nephrons in each human kidney. Learn more about the structure and function of nephrons in this article. A nephron is the basic structural and functional unit of the kidney. They are the microscopic structure composed of a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule. The word nephron is derived from the Greek word – nephros, meaning kidney. There are about millions of nephrons in each human kidney. A nephron is the unit of structure and function in the kidney. Each nephron is a coiled tube held together by a tough fibrous connective tissue. In humans, a healthy adult has 1 to 1.5 million nephrons in each kidney, functioning together to filter blood from all its impurities. They also regulate blood pressure, control electrolytes, and regulate blood pH. Functioning of Nephron: - Ultrafiltration: Blood enters the nephron through the glomerulus, where high pressure forces water and small solutes out of the blood and into the Bowman's capsule, forming a filtrate.
