Question

Vasa recta in cortical nephrons

• A. carries deoxygenated blood rich in urea.
• B. is absent or highly reduced.
• C. arises from afferent arteriole rather than efferent arteriole.
• D. does not get involved in counter current mechanism with loop of henle.

Answer 1

The correct option is B is absent or highly reduced.

In cortical nephrons, vasa recta is reduced or highly diminished.
The vasa recta capillaries are long blood vessels that run parallel to the loop of henle. These prevent the excessive loss of water through counter current mechanism in the medullary nephron where the vasa recta is long.
It arises from the efferent arteriole rather than the afferent arteriole.
It, along with the loop of henle, helps in concentrating the urine.
Since vasa recta is a network of arterioles, it contains oxygenated blood.