Histology Flashcards
what two hormones do the kidneys produce?
renin
erythropoietin
what is the renal capsule made of?
dense collagen fibres
a very thin layer
what is considered to make up a “lobe” of the kidney?
a medullary pyramid and its associated cortical tissue
what does the renal sinus consist of?
adipose tissue
what is the cortex that extends around the medullary pyramids called?
the renal columns
what are the stripes in the cortex called?
medullary rays
what is the renal capsule continuous with?
the connective tissue that lines the renal sinus
what is the basic functional unit of the kidney?
the nephron
what makes up a nephron? (2)
renal corpuscle
renal tubules
what is the role of the renal corpuscle?
production and collection of glomerular filtrate
what forms the renal corpuscle?
the glomerulus
the bowman’s capsule
what supplies the glomerulus?
the afferent arteriole
what drains the glomerulus?
the efferent arteriole
what are the two cell layers separating blood from filtrate in the corpuscle?
capillary endothelium
specialised epithelium of the capsule
what is the space between the two layers of the renal corpuscle called?
the urinary space
this is where the filtrate accumulates
what are the specialised epithelial cells of the renal corpuscle called?
podocytes
what are the two poles of the renal corpuscle?
vascular pole
urinary pole
what makes up the core of the glomerulus?
mesangial cells and their extracellular matrix
collectively = the mesangium
what are the three components of the glomerular filter?
endothelium of the capillary wall
thick basement membrane
filtration slits between podocytes
what is the role of the proximal convoluted tubule?
reabsorption of water, proteins, AA’s, carbs and glucose
where in the kidney is the proximal convoluted tubule located?
the cortex
how is sodium reabsorbed?
by active transport
how is water reabsorbed?
by diffusion
how are glucose and amino acids reabsorbed?
by co transport
which is larger - the proximal or distal convoluted tubule?
proximal
why is the margin of the PCT less defined?
due to the presence of a brush border
where in the kidney is the loop of henle found?
the medulla
what is the role of the loop of henle?
create the hyperosmotic environment of the medulla
what are the four parts of the loop of henle?
thick descending
thin descending
thin ascending
thick ascending
what lines the thick limbs of the loop of henle?
simple cuboidal epithelium
what lines the thin limbs of the loop of henle?
simple squamous epithelium
what creates the blood supply to the medulla?
the vasa recta
where in the kidney is the distal convoluted tubule located?
the cortex
what is the role of the DCT?
acid base balance
water balance
what controls reabsorption of sodium ions in the DCT?
aldosterone
what is the role of the collecting ducts?
reabsorption of water under the control of ADH
what lines most of the conducting parts of the urinary tract?
transitional epithelium
aka uroepithelium
what lines the female urethra?
initially transitional
stratified squamous near the end
what lines the prostatic urethra?
transitional epithelium
where is the membranous urethra located?
from prostate to the bulb of the penis
what lines the membranous urethra?
stratified columnar epithelium
what lines the penile/spongy urethra?
stratified columnar initially
becomes stratified squamous near its termination
