Human cell

Intraglomerular Mesangial Cells (Filter Helpers)

Inside each kidney filter, tiny blood vessels loop around and around. Mesangial cells sit in between, holding them up and keeping things clean.

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Spin the mesangial cell

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Lesson 1

In the middle of the filter

Each kidney filter is a little ball of looping blood vessels called a glomerulus.

Mesangial cells sit right in the middle, between the loops. They have a body with a few arms that reach out and touch the blood vessels.

Wow!

Mesangial cells are a bit like the stems of a bunch of grapes. They hold all the loops together in one bunch.

Watch and learn

Operation Ouch - What are Kidneys? | Biology for Kids

By Operation Ouch. A fun video for kids.

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