1.1.1 Overview of Kidney Glomerulus and Tubular Structure

Question 1

What do the kidneys produce to help regulate BP?

Answer 1

Renin

Question 2

How much urine is produced by the kidneys each day?

Answer 2

~ 1-2 L

Question 3

What comprises the filtration barrier in the kidney?

Answer 3

All elements of the glomerular capillary wall

Question 4

Identify the parts of the renal corpuscle as well as the the different types of tubules and their order.

Answer 4

Renal corpuscle (capsule of Bowman and Glomerulus)

Proximal convoluted tuble, Thick descending limb, Loop of Henle, Thick ascending limb, Macula densa, Distal convoluted tubule, Collecting tubule

Question 5

Where is 98% of filtrate reabsorbed?

Answer 5

Through the tubular epithelium

Question 6

What is the issue with the collagen in Alport Dz?

Answer 6

The type IV collagen doesn’t mature from the infantile isoforms to the isoforms that are more suitable for proper filtration.

Question 7

Why does the fluid in the capillary lumen look cloudy whereas the fluid on the other side of the GBM looks clear?

Answer 7

The cloudiness is created by the plasma proteins that don’t enter into the filtrate

Question 8

What do each of the letters represent?

Answer 8

Question 9

Where are glomeruli found in the kidney?

Answer 9

The cortex

Question 10

What type of cell is a mesangial cell?

Answer 10

A specialized smooth muscle cell. Determines the vascular tone of the glomeruli

Question 11

Basement membrane is made up of what type of collagen?

Answer 11

Type IV

Question 12

Through which poles does the blood enter the glomerulus? Through which pole does the filtrate exit the glomerulus?

Answer 12

Blood enter: vascular pole

Filtrate leave: urinary pole

Question 14

What two sites of the body are affected in Pierson syndrome?

Answer 14

Eyes and kidneys, results in progressive renal disease

Question 15

What type of endothelium line the glomeruli?

Answer 15

Fenestrated (w/o diaphragm) endothelium

Question 16

Describe the types of epithelium that line the various regions within the kidney.

Answer 16

Question 17

What are the two types of nephrons and their position?

Answer 17

Cortical nephron (near the outer edge of cortex, loop of Henle doesn’t enter medulla)

Juxtamedullary nephron (on edge of medulla, loop of Henle deep into medulla)

Question 18

What is the uderlying defect in congenital nephrotic syndrome? Symptoms? How do you manage/treat these patients?

Answer 18

A defect in the protein nephrin

Symptoms: masive proteinuria and albuminemia

Manage w/ albumin infusion, antibiotics, high calorie diets, ACE inhibitors. Ultmately requires dialysis/transplantation

Question 19

What point mutations are linked to Alport Dz? This leads to a defect in what?

Answer 19

COL4A3, COL4A4, COL4A5

A defect in type IV collagen in the basement membrane of the glomeruli

Question 20

What are some of the main functions of the urinary system (5).

Answer 20

1. Filter blood plasma to elminate metabolic wastes and excess fluid
2. Maintain stable levels of electrolytes
3. Regulate BP
4. Regulate erythropoeisis
5. Regulate Ca hemeostasis, bone deposition

Question 21

What do each of the letter represent?

Answer 21

Question 22

What is the glomerular capillary generally impermeable to?

Answer 22

Albumin and larger plasma proteins (globulins and fibrinogen)

Question 23

What is the composition of blood?

Answer 23

Question 24

What do the letters represent?

Answer 24

Question 25

How much filtrate is produced in the kidneys each day?

Answer 25

~ 180L

Question 26

Foot processes project from what type of cell in the glomeruli?

Answer 26

Podocytes

Question 27

What are the various arteries and their position in the kidney?

Answer 27

Question 28

What is circumscribed in blue in this image?

Answer 28

Epithelial slit diaphragm