13. Through which structure does blood exit the glomerulus?
Answer: D
Blood exits the glomerulus through the efferent arteriole.
Blood is filtered in the glomerulus and exits through the efferent arteriole, which carries the filtered blood away from the glomerulus to the peritubular capillaries and eventually to the renal vein.
A) Distal tubule
The distal tubule is a part of the nephron that is involved in the reabsorption of sodium and water, and the secretion of potassium and hydrogen ions. It does not serve as the exit point for blood from the glomerulus, making this option incorrect.
B) Proximal tubule
The proximal tubule is responsible for the reabsorption of a significant portion of filtered water, ions, and nutrients. Similar to the distal tubule, it does not function as the exit pathway for blood from the glomerulus, rendering this option incorrect.
C) Afferent arteriole
The afferent arteriole is the vessel that supplies blood to the glomerulus for filtration. Blood enters the glomerulus through this arteriole rather than exiting from it, which makes this option incorrect.
D) Efferent arteriole
The efferent arteriole is the vessel through which blood exits the glomerulus after it has been filtered. This is the correct option, as it plays a crucial role in transporting the filtered blood away from the glomerulus.
Conclusion
The efferent arteriole is definitively the correct answer, as it is the structure that carries blood away from the glomerulus following filtration. All other options incorrectly describe structures involved in the nephron's filtration process or blood supply, rather than the exit pathway for blood from the glomerulus.