Ascending limb of loop of Henle - wikipedia Ascending limb of loop of Henle Ascending limb of loop of Henle Scheme of renal tubule and its vascular supply. ( Labeled at center left. ) Nephron ion flow diagram Details Identifiers Latin tubulus rectus distalis, pars recta tubuli distalis Dorlands / Elsevier t_22 / 12830078 FMA 17717 Anatomical terminology ( edit on Wikidata ) Within the nephron of the kidney, the ascending limb of the loop of Henle is a segment of the loop of Henle downstream of the descending limb, after the sharp bend of the loop. This part of the renal tubule is divided into a thin and thick ascending limb ; the thick portion is also known as the distal straight tubule, in contrast with the distal convoluted tubule downstream. Contents 1 Structure 1.1 Histology 2 Function 2.1 Thin ascending limb 2.2 Thick ascending limb 3 Clinical significance 4 See also 5 References 6 External links Structure The ascending limb of the loop of Henle is a direct continuation from the descending limb of loop of Henle, and one of the structures in the nephron of the kidney. The ascending limb has a thin and a thick segment. The ascending limb drains urine into the distal convoluted tubule. The thin ascending limb is found in the medulla of the kidney, and the thick ascending limb can be divided into a part that is in the renal medulla and a part that is in the renal cortex. The ascending limb is much thicker than the descending limb. Histology As in the descending limb, the epithelium is simple squamous epithelium. Function Thin ascending limb The thin ascending limb is impermeable to water ; but is permeable to ions that cross by diffusion. Water moves out of the tubule and into the interstitium due to osmotic pressure created by the countercurrent system. Thick ascending limb Functionally, the parts of the ascending limb in the medulla and cortex are very similar. The medullary ascending limb is impermeable to water. Sodium ( Na ), potassium ( K ) and chloride ( Cl ) ions are reabsorbed by active transport. K is passively transported along its concentration gradient through a K leak channel in the apical aspect of the cells, back into the lumen of the ascending limb. This K `` leak '' generates a positive electrochemical potential difference in the lumen. This drives more paracellular reabsorption of Na, as well as other cations such as magnesium ( Mg ) and importantly calcium Ca due to charge repulsion. This is also the part of the tubule that generates Tamm - Horsfall protein. The function of this protein is not well understood, but is responsible for creating urinary casts. Clinical significance The thick ascending limb is the site of action of Loop diuretics such as furosemide block the K / Na / 2Cl co-transporter. See also Descending limb of loop of Henle References This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray 's Anatomy ( 1918 ) Jump up ^ Pawlina, Wojciech and Ross, Michael. Histology : A text and Atlas. 5th ed. N.p : Clipping, 2006. 663 +. Print. External links Physiology : 7 / 7ch07 / 7ch07p11 - Essentials of Human Physiology Histology image : 15804loa -- Histology Learning System at Boston University Overview at vet.cornell.edu Anatomy of the urinary system Kidneys Layers Fascia Capsule Cortex column Medulla sinus pyramids medullary interstitium Lobe Cortical lobule Medullary ray Nephron Circulation Arteries Renal artery segmental interlobar arcuate interlobular afferent Veins Renal vein Peritubular capillaries Vasa recta arcuate interlobar efferent Nephron Renal corpuscle Glomerulus Bowman 's capsule Glomerular basement membrane Podocyte Filtration slits Mesangium Intraglomerular mesangial cell Renal tubule Proximal convoluted tubule Loop of Henle Descending Thin ascending Thick ascending Distal convoluted tubule Connecting tubule Collecting ducts Tubular fluid Renal papilla Minor calyx Major calyx Renal pelvis Juxtaglomerular apparatus Macula densa Juxtaglomerular cells Mesangium Extraglomerular mesangial cell Ureters Orifice of ureter Ureteropelvic junction Bladder Apex Uvula Neck Median umbilical ligament Muscular layer Trigone Detrusor Mucosa Submucosa Urethra Urethral sphincters External sphincter male female Internal sphincter Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ascending_limb_of_loop_of_Henle&oldid=777192206 '' Categories : Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the 20th edition of Gray 's Anatomy ( 1918 ) Kidney anatomy Hidden categories : Medicine infobox template using GraySubject or GrayPage Medicine infobox template using Dorlands parameter All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from April 2014 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Edit links This page was last edited on 25 April 2017, at 19 : 07. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: where is the ascending limb of the nephron loop
Answer: downstream of the descending limb, after the sharp bend of the loop