Anatomical overview of the renal system

Question 1

where are kidney stones most likely to lodge in the ureters?

Answer 1

• renal pelvis / ureter junction
• pelvic brim
• ureter / bladder junction

Question 2

the kidneys align with which vertebral bodies?

Answer 2

T12 - L3

Question 3

are the renal corpuscles in the cortex or medulla?

Answer 3

cortex

Question 4

what two components make up the renal corpuscles?

Answer 4

• glomerulus

- bowman’s capsule

Question 5

what two structures make up the renal cortex?

Answer 5

• corpuscles

- cortical labyrinths

Question 6

what components make up the cortical labyrinth?

Answer 6

• PCT
• loop of henle
• DCT

Question 7

what structures are found in the renal medulla?

Answer 7

• loops of henle
• collecting ducts
• papilla

Question 8

are the renal columns cortex or medulla?

Answer 8

cortex

Question 9

what is the order of blood supply to the kidney?

Answer 9

• renal
• segmental
• interlobar
• arcuate
• interlobular
• afferent arteriole
• efferent arteriole
• peritubular capillary beds, vasa recta

Question 10

what are the two types of layers in bowman’s capsule?

Answer 10

• parietal

- visceral

Question 11

which part of the loop of henle is located in the cortex? which part is in the medulla?

Answer 11

• cortex: thick part

- medulla: thin part

Question 12

what are the types / functions of the mesangial cells?

Answer 12

• contractile cells that control glomerular flow

- phagocytic cells clear immune complexes and clean BM

Question 13

what do the contractile mesangial cells respond to?

Answer 13

ANF

Question 14

the “filter” for size / charge occurs where / through what cells?

Answer 14

basement membrane / mesangial cells

Question 15

podocytes make up what part of the nephron?

Answer 15

visceral layer of bowman’s capsule

Question 16

what are the two laminae of the basement membrane?

Answer 16

• lamina rara

- lamina densa

Question 17

where is the lamina rara located? what is its function? what molecules lines it?

Answer 17

• basement membrane on either side of lamina densa
• charge barrier that traps cationic molecules, repels anionic molecules
• heparin sulfate

Question 18

where is the lamina densa located? what is its function? what type of collagen lines this space?

Answer 18

• basement membrane
• restricts movement of molecules greater than 70 kDa MW
• type IV collagen

Question 19

what components make up the filtration apparatus from the glomerular to urinary space (in order)?

Answer 19

• fenestrated endothelium
• lamina rara
• lamina densa
• lamina rara
• diaphragm between pedicles of podocytes

Question 20

what is the longest segment of the nephron?

Answer 20

PCT

Question 21

what type of epithelium makes up the PCT?

Answer 21

low simple columnar (cuboidal) epithelium

Question 22

which part of the nephron has microvilli?

Answer 22

PCT

Question 23

what organelles are abundant in the PCT?

Answer 23

mitochondria

Question 24

what type of epithelium makes up the descending loop of henle?

Answer 24

simple cuboidal transitioning to simple squamous

Question 25

what type of epithelium makes up the ascending loop of henle?

Answer 25

simple squamous

Question 26

in which part of the nephron is the countercurrent multiplier located?

Answer 26

ascending loop

Question 27

what type of epithelium makes up the distal convoluted tubule?

Answer 27

simple low columnar (cuboidal)

Question 28

where are the intercalated cells?

Answer 28

DCT

Question 29

what is the function of the juxtaglomerular apparatus? what does it consist of?

Answer 29

- regulatory unit that continuously adjusts the amount of renin being released from JG cells - macula densa - JG cells - lacis cells of extraglomerular mesangium

Question 30

what type of epithelium makes up the collecting tubules and ducts?

Answer 30

simple cuboidal

Question 31

what type of epithelium makes up the minor calyces, major calyces, and renal pelvis?

Answer 31

transitional

Question 32

on radiograph / CT, where do the ureters sit?

Answer 32

on top of the psoas major

Question 33

what is the motor innervation to the detrusor muscle of the urinary bladder?

Answer 33

parasympathetic

Question 34

how does parasympathetic innervation affect the internal urethral sphincter? sympathetic?

Answer 34

- parasympathetic: relaxation | - sympathetic: constriction

Question 35

what are the sympathetic fibers within the renal nerve plexus?

Answer 35

thoracic, lumbar, and sacral splanchnics

Question 36

what are the parasympathetic nerves associated with the urinary system?

Answer 36

- vagus | - pelvic splanchnics

Question 37

visceral afferent fibers conveying pain sensation follow which type of fibers (sympathetic / parasympathetic)? which DRGs do they go to?

Answer 37

- sympathetic | - T10 - L2

Question 38

where does referred pain from the urinary system go?

Answer 38

- ipsilateral lower quadrant of the anterior abdominal wall - groin (especially)

Question 39

which part of the male urethra is the thinnest?

Answer 39

membranous

Question 40

what are the somatic muscles involved in the femal micturition reflex?

Answer 40

- deep transverse perineal muscle - sphincter urethrae - compressor urethrae - urethrovaginalis - pudendal

Question 41

what muscles make up the pelvic diaphragm?

Answer 41

levator ani (iliococcygeus, pubococcygeus, puborectalis) + coccygeus