Histology

Question 1

functions of the kidney and urinary tract

Answer 1

water and electrolyte homeostasis
body fluid osmolarity
acid-base balance
excrete waste (urea, creatinine)
endocrine gland (produces renin and erythropoietin)

Question 2

what is the kidney covered by?

Answer 2

strong fibrous capsule of dense collagen fibres

Question 3

what is the functional unit of the kidney?

Answer 3

nephron

Question 4

what structures make up the nephron?

Answer 4

renal corpuscle
proximal convoluted tubule
loop of Henle
distal convoluted tubule

Question 5

what does the renal corpuscle produce?

Answer 5

glomerular filtrate

Question 6

what two cell layers separate the blood and glomerular filtrate?

Answer 6

capillary endothelium (fenestrated)
podocytes

basement membrane in between made up of GAGs

Question 7

role of the PCT

Answer 7

reabsorption of water, protein, amino acids, carbs and glucose

Question 8

what facilitates the PCT role?

Answer 8

extensive brush border

Question 9

role of the loop of Henle

Answer 9

creation of hyperosmotic environment in medulla with vasa recta

Question 10

role of DCT

Answer 10

acid-base balance

water balance

Question 11

what is not part of the nephron?

Answer 11

collecting duct

Question 12

what is the urinary tract lined by?

Answer 12

stratified transitional epithelium (urothelium) with umbrella cells providing an impermeable membrane

Question 13

layers of the urinary tract

Answer 13

urothelium
lamina propria of connective tissue
2 layers of smooth muscle (inner longitudinal and outer circular)
adventitia

Question 14

what happens to the smooth muscle as the ureter nears the bladder?

Answer 14

3 layers of smooth muscle rather than 2

Question 15

how long is the urethra in females?

Answer 15

3-5cm

Question 16

what is the female urethra lined by?

Answer 16

transitional which become stratified squamous epithelium

Question 17

how long is the urethra in males?

Answer 17

20cm

Question 18

three types of urethra in the male

Answer 18

1. prostatic
2. membranous
3. penile

Question 19

describe the prostatic urethra

Answer 19

3-4cm through the prostate gland

lined by transitional epithelium

Question 20

describe the membranous urethra

Answer 20

1cm from prostate to bulb of the penis with stratified columnar epithelium

Question 21

describe the penile urethra

Answer 21

15cm lined by stratified squamous epithelium