nephron morphological measurement nephron count CMO:0003620 VT:0003881 slaulede clinical_measurement_ontology 2020-12-18T17:34:00Z nephron number total number of nephrons The total number of nephrons in a kidney. A nephron is made up of a glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, collecting tubule, and collecting duct. A nephron is the basic functional unit of the kidney and its chief function is to regulate the concentration of water and soluble substances like sodium salts by filtering the blood, reabsorbing what is needed and excreting the rest as urine.