podocyte

An epithelial cell of the visceral layer of Bowman capsule in the renal corpuscle, attached to the outer surface of the glomerular capillary basement membrane by cytoplasmic foot processes (pedicels); believed to play a role in the ultrafiltration of blood. [podo- + G. kytos, a hollow (cell)]

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podo·cyte (podґo-sīt) [podo- + -cyte] a modified epithelial cell of the visceral layer of the glomerular capsule in the renal glomerulus; it has a small perikaryon and a number of primary and secondary footlike radiating processes (pedicels) that interdigitate with those of other podocytes and embrace the walls of glomerular capillaries. Called also visceral epithelial cells.

Scanning electron micrograph showing podocytes, with their processes (pedicels) interdigitating along the capillary surfaces.