9.1: The genitourinary system Flashcards
5 functions of the kidneys
Excretion of metabolic products
Extretion of foreign substances
Homeostasis of body fluids, electrolytes and acid-base balance
Regulates blood pressure
Secretes hormones e.g erythropoietin, renin
What is the urinary system composed of?
Kidneys
Ureters
Bladder
Urethra
Renal blood supply into the kidney
Renal artery
Segmental artery
Interlobal artery
Arcuate artery
Interlobular artery
Afferent arteriolar
Into glomerular capillaries
Renal blood supply from the glomerular capillaries
From glomerular capillaries
Efferent arteriolar
Peritubular capillaries
Interlobular vein
Arcuate vein
Interlobular vein
Renal vein
Where does the urine once formed, travel through in the kidney?
Minor calyx to the major calyx and then through ureter
What are the 3 funtions of the peritubular capillaries?
Provide oxygen and nutrients to the nephron to allow them to perform their functions
Help in reabsorption of different substances along the nephron and then take it away to the cirulatory system
Help in secretion of different substances into the tubular fluid
What is the function of the detrusor muscle?
Detrusor muscle - Contracts to build pressure in the urinary bladder to support urination
What does stretching of the trigone to its limit lead to?
Signals sent to the brain about the need for urination
Is it the internal or external sphincter that gives involuntary control to prevent urination?
Internal sphincter - must be relaxed for urination to proceed
External sphincter gives voluntary control to prevent urination
What do abnormalities with the internal or external sphincter cause
Urinary incompetence
What is the function of the bulbourethral gland?
Produces thick lubricant which is added to watery semen to promote sperm survival
What are the 2 different cell type classes in the dital convoluted tubule and the collecting duct and describe their mitochondria density?
- Principal cells - Low density of mitochondria, the main Na+ reabsorbing cells and the site of action of aldosterone K+ sparing diuretics
- Intercalated cells - High density of mitochondria, regulation of acid-base homeostasis
What are the anatomical differences between the juxtamedullary and superficial nephrons?
The glomerulus of the superficial nephron is in the upper cortex, whereas the juxtamedullary nephron has its glomerulus closer to the medullary border
The Loop of Henle in the superficial nephron only extends to the outer medulla, whereas the juxtamedullary nephron has its one extending into the inner medulla
Why does the cortex have a granular appearance, whereas the medulla has a striated appearance?
Loop of Henle extending through the medulla gives it its striated appearance
3 cell types making up the juxtagolmerular apparatus
Extraglomerular mesangial cells
Macula dense
Juxtaglomerular cells
What are the main functions of this juxtaglomerular apparatus?
GFR regulation through tubular-glomerular feedback mechanism
Renin secretion for regulating blood pressure
What are the 4 main renal proccesses?
Glomerular filtration
Reabsorption
Secretion
Excretion
Is glomerular filtration a passive or active process?
Passive
Describe the permeability of the filtration barrier
Highly permeable to fluids and small solutes
Impermeable to cells and proteins
What is the name of the spaces between capillary endothelium and how big are they?
- Fenestrae70nm in diameter
What substances can pass through the fenestra in the kidneys?
Water
Ions
Small proteins
What substances can pass through the slit diaphragm of the glomerular basement membrane?
Water and small solutes only
What are podocytes
Highly specialised cells of the kidney glomerulus that wrap around capillaries and that neighbour cells of the Bowman’s capsule
What is the name of the ‘pulling’ pressure exerted by the solutes?
Oncotic pressure - fluid molecules are drawn in across a semipermeable membrane
Why does the cortex is granular looking whereas medulla has a striated appearance?
In medulla loop of Henley is present which is a tube so gives a striated appearance whereas the cortex contains the glomerulus and bowman’s capsule
What is the name of the force that causes the glomerular filtration from the glomerulus into the Bowman’s capsule?
Hydrostatic pressure from glomerular capillaries
4 main renal processes
Glomerular filtration
Reabsorption
Secretion
Excretion
Process of Reabsorption in the kidneys
Substances from inside of nephron are reabsorbed into the blood