glomerular capsule (Bowman's capsule)

Introduction

Cup-like sac enclosing renal glomerulus. Bowman's space between parietal & visceral layers of Bowman's capsule collects urinary filtrate from glomerulus & empties into proximal convoluted tubule.

Parietal layer:

• single layer of squamous epithelial cells
• does not function in glomerular filtration

Visceral layer:

• contains podocytes
• lies beneath glomerular basement membrane
• functions in glomerular filtation

More general terms

• kidney structure