The parts of the nephron are as follows:

Bowman’s capsule: This closed end at the beginning of the nephron is located in the cortex. It is a thin – walled (single – cell thick epithelium) cup, something like a hollow ball pressed deep on one side. Its hollow internal space continues into the tubule. The outer concavity of the cup lodges a knot – like mass of blood capillaries, called glomerulus. The Bowman’s capsule and the glomerulus together are called Malpighian capsule or just renal capsule.

Proximal convoluted tubule or proximal tubule: The first twisted region of the tubule after the Bowman’s capsule in the the cortex (‘proximal’ means nearer, i.e. nearer to the Bowman’s capsule).

Loop of Henle: A long, hairpin loop after the proximal tubule, it extends from the cortex down into the medulla and back. Middle U – shaped part (Loop of Henle) is shaped like a hair – pin and runs in medulla to turn back and to re – enter the cortex to continue into the next convoluted region of the tubule.

Distal convoluted tubule or distal tubule: This second twisted portion of the nephron after the loop of Henle is located in the cortex (“distal” means farther, i.e. farther or away from Bowman’s capsule). It opens into a collecting duct. The collecting duct receives the contents of many kidney tubules and pours it as urine in the pelvis of the kidney.

Collecting duct: This long straight portion after the distal tubule that is the open end of the nephron extends from the cortex down through the medulla.