Question:

The narrow space between the pedicels of podocytes is called

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Be careful to distinguish between the physical space and the membrane bridging it:
The space is the filtration slit, while the membrane bridging the space is the slit diaphragm.
  • Filtration diaphragm
  • Filtration slit
  • Slit diaphragm
  • Filtration gap
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The glomerular filtration barrier in the kidney consists of three layers: the fenestrated capillary endothelium, the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), and the visceral layer of Bowman's capsule, which is composed of highly specialized epithelial cells called podocytes.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Podocytes have primary processes that give rise to smaller, interdigitating secondary foot processes known as pedicels.
These pedicels wrap around the glomerular capillaries and rest directly on the basement membrane.
The narrow space or gap that exists between adjacent, interdigitating pedicels is termed the filtration slit (or slit pore).
These filtration slits are bridged by a thin, extracellular membrane called the slit diaphragm (or filtration diaphragm), which contains proteins like nephrin and podocin.
The question asks for the name of the space itself, which is the filtration slit.
The diaphragm is the physical structure bridging the space, and "filtration gap" is not standard terminology.

Step 3: Final Answer:

Thus, the narrow space between the pedicels is called the filtration slit, making (B) the correct choice.
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