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Nephron

Meaning

The nephron is the fundamental, microscopic structural and functional unit of the kidney, responsible for the intricate processes of filtering blood, reabsorbing essential substances, and secreting waste products to form urine. Each human kidney contains approximately one million nephrons, and their collective, coordinated function is absolutely essential for maintaining the body’s fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance. The integrity of the nephron is critical for long-term hormonal and metabolic health.