part of part of kidney outer medulla cell kidney loop of Henle ascending limb epithelial cell kidney loop of Henle thick ascending limb epithelial cell kidney loop of Henle medullary thick ascending limb epithelial cell An epithelial cell that is part of some loop of Henle thick ascending limb segment located in the renal medulla. The kidney loop of Henle medullary thick ascending limb epithelial cell, often simply referred to as the thick ascending limb (TAL) cell, is a specialized cell found within the nephron of the kidney. This specific part of the nephron, known as the Loop of Henle, is responsible for concentrating urine by actively reabsorbing ions and indirectly reabsorbing water to create a concentrated medullary interstitium. The TAL cell plays a critical role in this task, lining the inner tube of the ascending limb and facilitating the movement of various ions against their concentration gradient. TAL cells are architecturally organized with the apical side facing the tubular lumen and the basolateral side interfacing with the interstitial fluid. They possess several unique characteristics that distinguish them from other nephron segment cells, one of which is an abundance of mitochondria, required to provide the energy needed for active transports. These cells are equipped with various ion transporters, channels, and pumps that drive the reabsorption process. TAL cells also participate actively in various physiological processes. Their activity aids in controlling the body's water homeostasis, electrolyte balance, blood pressure, and even blood pH. Moreover, they respond dynamically to the body's changing needs, modulating their activity under hormonal influences. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) KUPO:0001051 https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_1001108 Homo sapiens premacula segment of distal straight tubule