What is the loop of Henle?

1 Answer

A structure within your kidney.

Explanation:

After your Bowman's capsule has removed material from your blood, a lot of which you still need, this fluid travels down the loop of Henle where salts, sugars and other substances are reabsorbed.

![http://www.news-medical.net/health/The-Loop-of-Henle.aspx](https://useruploads.socratic.org/dxyWm9MlRM2PaGmdlyWD_image.axd)

The descending portion of the loop of Henle is permeable to water but not salts, increasing the osmotic gradient and creating a concentrated filtrate. The ascending portion is impermeable to water and Na Na+ and Cl are pumped out. This maintains the gradient. The filtrate is dilute in the ascending portion of the loop of Henle.

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The main function of the loop of Henle is to reabsorb water and sodium chloride.

This video explains the process in more detail: