ANATOMY - Kidneys

Question 1

What are the eight functions of the kidneys?

Answer 1

1. Maintaining extracellular fluid composition
2. Elimination of endogenous waste
3. Regulation of ion concentration in the extracellular fluid
4. Maintenance of bodily pH
5. Erythropoietin production
6. Renin production
7. Calcitriol production
8. Maintenance of blood glucose levels

Question 2

What is the protective layer surrounding the kidney cortex?

Answer 2

Fibrous capsule

Question 3

What is the distinctive feature of the feline kidneys?

Answer 3

Superficial subcapsular veins

Question 4

What is the primitive macroscopic unit of the kidney during early embryonic development?

Answer 4

During early embryonic development, the kidney consisted of many renal lobes

Question 5

Which species has a multi-lobar kidney?

Answer 5

Large ruminants

Question 6

What is the function of the calyx present at the terminal end of the medullary pyramids of the multi-lobar kidney?

Answer 6

The calyces collect urine and drain into the ureter

Question 7

Which species have a uni-lobular kidney?

Answer 7

Canine, feline, small ruminants, equine

Question 8

Which structures fuse to form the uni-lobar kidney?

Answer 8

The cortex and the medulla of the individual renal lobes fuse together to form a completely fused structure

Question 9

Which structures in the uni-lobar kidney collect and drain urine into the ureter?

Answer 9

The renal crest collects urine and drains into the renal pelvis and into the ureter

Question 10

What is the renal sinus?

Answer 10

The renal sinus is the fat-filled cavity surrounding the structures entering and exiting the kidney at the hilus

Question 11

Which species have an intermediate kidney?

Answer 11

Porcine

Question 12

Which structure fuses to form the intermediate kidney?

Answer 12

The cortex of each individual renal lobe fuses to form the intermediate kidney

Question 13

(T/F) The intermediate kidney has calyces at the terminal end of the medullary pyramid

Answer 13

TRUE. The medullary pyramids have not fused in the intermediate kidneys so the calyces still remain

Question 14

What are the three main structures which enter/exit at the renal hilus?

Answer 14

Renal artery
Renal vein
Ureter

Question 15

Describe the arterial blood flow through the kidney

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What are the components of the renal microcirculation?

Answer 16

Afferent arteries
Nephron
Efferent arteries

Question 17

What is the function of the peritubular network?

Answer 17

The peritubular network is associated with reabsorption and secretion in the kidneys

Question 18

What is the function of the vasa recta?

Answer 18

The vasa recta contributes to the maintenance of the osmotic gradient of the medulla

Question 19

Describe the venous return through the kidney?

Answer 19

Blood enters the interlobular veins followed by the arcuate veins, interlobar veins and exits via the renal vein

Question 20

How does venous drainage differ in the feline kidney?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Which nerves provide sympathetic innervation to the kidney?

Answer 21

Sympathetic innervation is derived from the major splanchnic nerves

Question 22

Which nerve provides parasympathetic innervation to the kidney?

Answer 22

Parasympathetic innervation is derived from the vagus nerve

Question 23

How does the nerve plexus enter the renal hilus?

Answer 23

The nerve plexus enters the renal hilus through wrapping around the renal artery