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

Word History

Etymology

F. G. J. Henle †1885 German pathologist

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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

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