Which structure houses the glomerulus in the kidney?

The glomerulus is a network of capillaries located within a specific structure in the kidneys designed for filtering blood. This structure is known as Bowman's capsule. Bowman's capsule surrounds the glomerulus and is the site where the filtration of blood begins, allowing water, ions, and small molecules to pass into the renal tubule while keeping larger molecules like proteins and blood cells in the bloodstream.

The design of Bowman's capsule facilitates the process of filtration as blood flows through the glomerulus. The filtrate that forms in Bowman's capsule then moves on to the proximal convoluted tubule and subsequently through other parts of the nephron for further processing. Understanding this structure and function is critical in nephrology and highlights the kidney's role in maintaining homeostasis by regulating fluid and electrolyte balance.