Anatomy

Podocytes

Highly differentiated epithelial cells of the visceral layer of BOWMAN CAPSULE of the KIDNEY. They are composed of a cell body with major CELL SURFACE EXTENSIONS and secondary fingerlike extensions called pedicels. They enwrap the KIDNEY GLOMERULUS capillaries with their cell surface extensions forming a filtration structure. The pedicels of neighboring podocytes interdigitate with each other leaving between them filtration slits that are bridged by an extracellular structure impermeable to large macromolecules called the slit diaphragm, and provide the last barrier to protein loss in the KIDNEY.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Highly differentiated epithelial cells of the visceral layer of BOWMAN CAPSULE of the KIDNEY. They are composed of a cell body with major CELL SURFACE EXTENSIONS and secondary fingerlike extensions called pedicels. They enwrap the KIDNEY GLOMERULUS capillaries with their cell surface extensions forming a filtration structure. The pedicels of neighboring podocytes interdigitate with each other leaving between them filtration slits that are bridged by an extracellular structure impermeable to large macromolecules called the slit diaphragm, and provide the last barrier to protein loss in the KIDNEY.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

4 entry terms
  • Epithelial Cells, Glomerular Visceral
  • Glomerular Visceral Epithelial Cells
  • Visceral Epithelial Cells, Glomerular
  • Podocyte

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

15 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, enzymology, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

2006

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Kidney Glomerulus (1965-2005)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. A05w.810w.453w.324w.359w.372.650w
  2. A05w.810w.453w.736w.520w.720w
  3. A11w.436.720w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Podocytes. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D050199. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D050199
  2. Podocytes. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podocyte
  3. Podocytes. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138912