Illustrated is a field of nephrons, the basic filter unit of the kidney, and the nephron's regulatory role in filtering phosphates. The illustration shows phosphates/phosphorus filtered out of the blood stream via the proximal convolution, loop of Henle and the distal convolution, then to the collecting tubules where the phosphates will be excreted in the urine. Relatively few phosphate molecules are seen outside of the collecting tubules which shows the lack of resorption of phosphates, resulting in hypophosphatemia.