part of part of kidney medulla cell vasa recta cell A cell that is part of a vasa recta. The vasa recta refers to a network of blood vessels associated with the kidneys. The endothelial cells in the vasa recta are instrumental in maintaining the delicate balance of salt and water in the bloodstream, warranting the normal functioning of the kidneys. They are primarily located in the renal medulla, which contains the loops of Henle and the collecting ducts. The primary function of the vasa recta is to participate in the countercurrent exchange system, a crucial mechanism for establishing and maintaining the concentration gradient in the kidney's medulla. This gradient is essential for the process of urine concentration. The vasa recta runs parallel to the nephron's loop of Henle, and as blood flows through these vessels, it undergoes exchange with the surrounding interstitial fluid. This exchange allows for the reabsorption of water and solutes, helping to preserve the hypertonic environment of the medulla and facilitating the production of concentrated urine. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_1001036 KUPO:0001068 microvascular endothelial cell vasa recta