ANATOMY - Kidneys Flashcards
What are the eight functions of the kidneys?
- Maintaining extracellular fluid composition
- Elimination of endogenous waste
- Regulation of ion concentration in the extracellular fluid
- Maintenance of bodily pH
- Erythropoietin production
- Renin production
- Calcitriol production
- Maintenance of blood glucose levels
What is the protective layer surrounding the kidney cortex?
Fibrous capsule
What is the distinctive feature of the feline kidneys?
Superficial subcapsular veins
What is the primitive macroscopic unit of the kidney during early embryonic development?
During early embryonic development, the kidney consisted of many renal lobes
Which species has a multi-lobar kidney?
Large ruminants
What is the function of the calyx present at the terminal end of the medullary pyramids of the multi-lobar kidney?
The calyces collect urine and drain into the ureter
Which species have a uni-lobular kidney?
Canine, feline, small ruminants, equine
Which structures fuse to form the uni-lobar kidney?
The cortex and the medulla of the individual renal lobes fuse together to form a completely fused structure
Which structures in the uni-lobar kidney collect and drain urine into the ureter?
The renal crest collects urine and drains into the renal pelvis and into the ureter
What is the renal sinus?
The renal sinus is the fat-filled cavity surrounding the structures entering and exiting the kidney at the hilus
Which species have an intermediate kidney?
Porcine
Which structure fuses to form the intermediate kidney?
The cortex of each individual renal lobe fuses to form the intermediate kidney
(T/F) The intermediate kidney has calyces at the terminal end of the medullary pyramid
TRUE. The medullary pyramids have not fused in the intermediate kidneys so the calyces still remain
What are the three main structures which enter/exit at the renal hilus?
Renal artery
Renal vein
Ureter
Describe the arterial blood flow through the kidney
Blood enters the kidney via the renal artery then into the interlobar arteries, then the arcuate arteries, then the interlobular arteries, followed by the afferent arteries, the nephron and then the efferent arteries
What are the components of the renal microcirculation?
Afferent arteries
Nephron
Efferent arteries
What is the function of the peritubular network?
The peritubular network is associated with reabsorption and secretion in the kidneys
What is the function of the vasa recta?
The vasa recta contributes to the maintenance of the osmotic gradient of the medulla
Describe the venous return through the kidney?
Blood enters the interlobular veins followed by the arcuate veins, interlobar veins and exits via the renal vein
How does venous drainage differ in the feline kidney?
In the feline kidney, venous drainage from the cortex is aided by the superficial subcapsular veins which drain directly from the cortex into the renal vein
Which nerves provide sympathetic innervation to the kidney?
Sympathetic innervation is derived from the major splanchnic nerves
Which nerve provides parasympathetic innervation to the kidney?
Parasympathetic innervation is derived from the vagus nerve
How does the nerve plexus enter the renal hilus?
The nerve plexus enters the renal hilus through wrapping around the renal artery
