Histology Of The Urinary Tract Flashcards
What makes up the nephron
Glomerulus
Proximal convoluted tubule
Thick limb of loop of henle
Thin limb of the loop of henle
Distal convoluted tubule
Collecting duct
What are the different parts of the kidney
Cortex
Medulla
Pelvis
What are characteristics of the glomerulus
Tufts of convoluted fenestrated capillaries
Glomerular basement membrane
Lined by podocytes
Supported by mesangial cells
Encased in bowman’s capsule
What are the 2 components of the juxtaglomerular apparatus
Afferent arteriole
Distal convoluted tubule
What is the role of the juxtaglomerular apparatus
Secretes renin in response to low blood pressure
What does the distal convoluted tubule contribute to in the juxtaglomerular apparatus
The macula densa
What are characteristics of the proximal convoluted tubule
Cuboidal epithelium
Round central/basal nuclei
Brush border of microvilli at apical end
Many mitochondria
What is the role of the proximal convoluted tubule
Reabsorption of NaCl, proteins, polypeptides, amino acids and glucose
What are characteristics of the loop of henle
Made up of descending and ascending limbs
Thick and thin segments
Thin = simple squamous
Thick = low cuboidal
Supplied by rich vasa recta
What are characteristics of the distal convoluted tubule
Low cuboidal epithelium
Scanty microvilli
Numerous mitochondria
What is the role of the distal convoluted tubule
Regulates acid base by secreting H+ and absorbing HCO3- via cellular carbonic anhydrase
Regulates Na levels by exchanging Na for K
What are the characteristics of the collecting ducts
Cuboidal epithelium
Principal cells
Intercalated cells
What is the role of the principal cells of the collecting duct
They respond to aldosterone and ADH
What is the role of intercalated cells of the collecting duct
Exchanges H+ for HCO3-
Where does the kidneys blood supply originate from
Abdominal aorta
At what level does the the real artery level the abdominal aorta
The renal artery levels at the level of L1
Where does the loop of henle descend into
Descends into the medulla
What lines the renal pelvis
Urothelium
What is the role of the renal pelvis
Transmits filtrate from the nephron to the ureter
What is urothelium
Specialised epithelium of the urinary tract
Complex stratified epithelium
Layer of umbrella cells
What are characteristics of ureters
Transitional epithelium
Spiral muscular tube
No serosa
Loose Adventitia
What are characteristics of the bladder
Urothelium
Lamina propria
Submucosa
Muscularis propria
Sub serosa and serosa
Functional valve
What are characteristics of the female urethra
Proximally = transitional epithelium
Distally = squamous epithelium
Has paraurethral and periurethral glands
How long is the female urethra
4-5cm long
How long is the male urethra
20cm long
What are the 3 parts that make up the male urethra
Prostatic urethra
Membranous urethra
Penile urethra
What lines the membranous urethra
Urothelium
What lines the penile urethra
Pseudo stratified epithelium proximally
Stratified squamous epithelium distally
What do the renal pelvis, ureter, bladder and urethra all have in common
They all have the same urothelial lining
Where is this
Female urethra
Where is this
Male urethra
Where is this
Bladder
What is this
Ureter
What tissue is this
Urothelium
What are the arrows pointing to
The left arrow = macula densa
The right arrow = juxtaglomerular cells
What are the arrows pointing to
The left arrow = basement membrane
The bottoms central arrow = capillary lumen
The bottom right arrow = endothelial cell
The middle right arrow = foot processes
The top right arrow = podocyte
What are the arrows pointing to
Top arrow = capillary endothelial cell
Bottom arrow = mesangial cells
Where is this from
Renal medulla
What is this showing
Medullary ray
Where is this
Renal cortex
Where is this from
Collecting duct
Where is this
Distal convoluted tubule
Where is this from
Thin limb of the loop of henle
What is this
Glomerulus
Where is this
Thick limb of the loop of henle
Where is this
Proximal convoluted tubule
