What is glomerulus?

The glomerulus is a tiny network of capillaries located in the kidney and is responsible for filtering and purifying blood. It is made up of specialized cells called podocytes which form a filtration barrier to prevent the passage of large molecules such as proteins and blood cells. This process of filtration is known as glomerular filtration and is a crucial component of the body's waste removal system. The glomerulus is supplied by the renal artery and blood is drained from it by the renal vein. Damage or dysfunction of the glomerulus can lead to a range of kidney diseases such as glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome.