Final answer:
The renal cortex is the outer layer of the kidney that contains all nephrons, including cortical nephrons and juxtamedullary nephrons, as well as structures like renal columns and cortical radiate arteries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The renal cortex is the outer part of the kidney and is crucial in the organ’s function. It has a distinctive lighter color in comparison to the rest of the kidney when viewed upon dissection. This cortex region contains all of the nephrons, the functional units of the kidney.
These nephrons are composed of renal corpuscles and proximal and distal convoluted tubules. Specifically, certain nephrons referred to as cortical nephrons predominantly reside within the renal cortex and are characterized by their short loops of Henle that do not extend much beyond the cortex itself.
However, about 15 percent of nephrons are termed juxtamedullary nephrons, with long loops of Henle that stretch deeply into the medulla, another internal region of the kidney. The renal cortex also features cortical radiate arteries, which branch from the arcuate arteries and spread throughout the renal cortex, providing necessary blood flow.
Moreover, the renal cortex includes structures like the renal columns which extend into the renal medulla, separate the renal pyramids, contain essential blood vessels and connective tissues, and help support the kidney's structure and function.