The functional unit of the kidney is known as?

The functional unit of the kidney is the nephron, which plays a critical role in the kidney's ability to filter blood and produce urine. Each nephron is responsible for performing the key processes of filtration, reabsorption, and secretion. It consists of several parts, including the glomerulus, renal tubule, and collecting duct.

The glomerulus is a cluster of capillaries where blood filtration begins, but it is just one part of the nephron, not the entire functional unit. The renal pyramids are structures within the kidney that contain nephrons but do not represent the functional unit themselves. The medulla refers to the inner region of the kidney where the renal pyramids are located, but again, it does not serve as the functional unit.

Understanding the nephron's role in maintaining homeostasis through its various functions, including electrolyte balance and waste elimination, highlights why it is termed the functional unit of the kidney.