URINARY SYSTEM KEY TERMS 1) Renal cortex (renal cortex) := the outermost layer (part) of the kidney. 2) Bowman’s capsule: = nephron (Nephron which is the basic functional unit of the kidney) Bowman’s capsule is the cup-shaped mouth-like part of the nephron. 3) Nephron: It is the basic functional unit of kidney. It is the microscopic structural unit of the kidney and the biologically functional unit of the kidney. 4)