Step 1: Anatomy of the Kidney.
The kidney consists of two main regions: the outer cortex and the inner medulla. The cortex is the darker outer region, while the medulla is lighter in color and lies inside the cortex.
Step 2: Function of the Cortex.
The cortex contains the renal corpuscles (Bowman's capsules and glomeruli) and is involved in the filtration of blood. It is darker due to the presence of these components.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Therefore, the dark-colored outer zone in the internal structure of the kidney is called the cortex.