loop of Henle
noun phrase
loop of Hen·le
-ˈhen-lē 
: the U-shaped part of the nephron of birds and mammals that lies between and is continuous with the proximal and distal convoluted tubules and that functions in water resorption
Cite this Entry
“Loop of Henle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loop%20of%20Henle. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
loop of Henle
noun
loop of Hen·le
-ˈhen-lē
: a U-shaped part of the nephron of birds and mammals that plays a part in removing water during the formation of urine
Etymology
from the name F. G. J. Henle, died 1885, German pathologist
Medical Definition
loop of Henle
noun
loop of Hen·le
-ˈhen-lē
: the U-shaped part of a vertebrate nephron that lies between and is continuous with the proximal and distal convoluted tubules, that leaves the cortex of the kidney descending into the medullary tissue and then bending back and reentering the cortex, and that functions in water resorption
called also Henle's loop
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share