Development of the Kidneys

Question 1

Which embryonic ducts give rise to male and female kidneys?

Answer 1

Male-
Mesonephric
(Wolffian ducts)

Female-
Paramesonephric
(Mullerian ducts)

Question 2

In females, what does the Paramesonephric duct develop into? What happens to the Mesonephric duct?

Answer 2

Mesonephric duct degenerates
Apart from lower portion which forms the ureteric bud.

Paramesonephric duct
Forms oviduct

Question 3

In males, what does the Mesonephric duct develop into? What happens to the Paramesonephric?

Answer 3

Mesonephric duct forms The male reproductive tract. The ureteric bud

Paramesonephric duct
degenerates

Question 4

There are 3 embryonic kidneys. Name them and state which a function and non functional?

Answer 4

2 Non Functional:
Pronephric
Mesonephric

1 functional
Metanephric kidney
(functional kidney in Mammals)

Question 5

The Metanephric kidney develops from which duct?

Answer 5

Mesonephric duct

Question 6

The Metanephric kidney is formed from which 2 embryonic structures? Where are these structures derived from?

Answer 6

Ureteric bud derived from the mesonephric duct

Metanephric bud (blastema) derived from mesenchyme

Question 7

Which part of the kidney doe the ureteric bud develop into? There is 4.

Answer 7

Ureter
Renal pelvis
Major and minor calyces
Collecting (duct) tubules

Question 8

Which part of the kidney doe the Metanephric develop into? There is 5

Answer 8

Renal glomerulus 
capillaries
Bowman’s capsule
Proximal convoluted
tubule
Loop of Henle
Distal convoluted
tubule

Question 9

Describe how the kidneys ascend. Mention the spinal region it starts and ends.

Answer 9

Metanephros located in
the sacral region (S1)
Ascends as tail of embryo  unfolds
Final location upper
lumbar region (Th 12)

Question 10

What is the name of the condition used to describe when the kidneys fail to ascend?

Answer 10

ectopic kidney

Question 11

When do the kidneys become functional?

Answer 11

End of the 1st trimester

Question 12

What is kidney agenesis?

Answer 12

Failure of kidney to form

Question 13

How many live births have kidney agenesis?

Answer 13

Unilateral 1:1000

Bilateral 1:10,000

Question 14

In the foetus, what are the kidneys used for?

Answer 14

Formation of amniotic fluid

Question 15

Why is bilateral agenesis so lethal?

Answer 15

Leads to a reduction in amniotic fluid = Oligohydramnios

Defects include failure of lung development, limbs and facial abnormalities..

Question 16

What are the 3 main causes of bifid ureter?

Answer 16

Ureter splits in two
Duplicate Kidneys

Or

Duplicate Ureter

Question 17

What is the condition- pelvic kidney?

Answer 17

Type of ectopic kidney

Kidney remains in pelvic region (usually 1)
Failure to ascent

Question 18

In the condition known as horse shoe kidney, why can’t the kidney ascend?

Answer 18

The inferior mesenteric artery is preventing it from ascending

Question 19

In those with Polycystic Kidney disease, what percentage and at what age do people develop kidney failure?

Answer 19

50% kidney failure by age 60

Question 20

In Polycystic Kidney Disease where do the cysts originate from?

Answer 20

collecting tubules

Associated with increased cell division in tubule epithelium

Question 21

Which gene mutations in what are associated with Polycystic Kidney Disease. What percentage of cases is associated with each mutation?

Answer 21

85-90% associated with mutations in polycystin (PKD-1)

10-15% mutations in polycystin-2 (PKD-2)

Question 22

Where are polycystins located?

Answer 22

primary cilia (ciliopathy)

Question 23

What other condition outside of in cystic kidney disease is caused by a mutation in primary cilia?

Answer 23

vascular hypertension.