Compendium 7 (Renal system) Flashcards
What three organs make up the renal (urinary) system?
- Two kidneys
- Ureters
- Urinary bladder
What are the kidneys?
The primary excretory organs of the renal system
What are the ureters?
Each kidney has a ureter which is a tube that carries the excretory products of the kidneys into the urinary bladder
What do kidneys do?
They filter large volumes of blood and produce urine from the wastes of blood
What are the six functions of the kidneys?
- Excretion
- Regulation of blood volume and pressure
- Regulation of blood solute concentrations
- Regulation of extracellular fluid pH
- Regulation of red blood cell synthesis
- Regulation of vitamin D synthesis
Describe the external anatomy of kidneys.
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs about the size of a tightly closed fist
Describe the location of the kidneys.
The kidneys are retroperitoneal which means they lie behind the peritoneum, and they are located on each side of the vertebral column
What is the name for the outer layer of connective tissue of the kidney?
Renal capsule
What is the name of the thin layer of connective tissue that surrounds the thick layer of adipose tissue on the outside of the kidneys?
Renal fascia
What is the hilum?
The hilum is the indentation of the medial side of the kidneys
What is the name fore the adipose and connective tissue-filled cavity of the kidneys?
Renal sinus
What is the length of a nephron?
About 50-55mm
What are the four regions of a nephron?
- renal corpuscle
- proximal convoluted tubule
- Henle
- distal convoluted tubule
What are the three processes necessary for urine formation?
- Filtration
- Tubular reabsorption
- Tubular secretion
