KIDNEY

Question 1

Uterer

Answer 1

Carries urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

Question 2

Renal Vein

Answer 2

Drains filtered, deoxygenated blood from the kidneys and returns it to the heart via the inferior vena cava.

Question 3

Renal Artery

Answer 3

Delivers oxygenated, unfiltered blood from the heart to the kidneys. This blood contains wastes, which the kidney will filter out.

Question 4

Renal Cortex

Answer 4

The outer layer of the kidney where filtration of blood begins. It contains the renal corpuscles and convoluted tubules of nephrons.

Question 5

Medulla

Answer 5

Inner part of the kidney composed of renal pyramids. It houses the loop of Henle and collecting ducts, which are essential for concentrating urine and conserving water.

Question 6

Kidney Tubules

Question 7

Renal Pyramids

Answer 7

Cone-shaped structures that contain tubules and ducts to transport urine from the nephrons to the calyces. They are also involved in reabsorption and secretion.

Question 8

Collecting Ducts

Answer 8

Receive processed filtrate (urine) from several nephrons and transport it to the renal pyramids. Also, regulate final water reabsorption under hormone control (especially ADH).

Question 9

Nephrons

Answer 9

Basic functional unit of the kidney (~1 million per kidney). Each nephron filters blood, reabsorbs needed substances, and excretes wastes into urine.

Question 10

Renal Pelvis

Answer 10

Funnel-shaped cavity that collects urine from all the calyces and channels it into the ureter.

Question 11

Urinary Bladder

Answer 11

A hollow, elastic organ that stores urine until it’s ready to be expelled from the body. It expands as it fills and signals the brain when it’s time to urinate.

Question 12

Adrenal Gland

Answer 12

Sits atop each kidney (but is not part of the urinary system). Secretes:

Aldosterone – promotes sodium and water retention (affects kidney function).

Cortisol – manages stress and metabolism.

Adrenaline – fight or flight response.

Question 13

Fibrous Capsule

Answer 13

A tough, fibrous outer layer that directly surrounds and protects the kidney from infection, injury, and physical trauma.

Question 14

Perirenal Fat Capsule

Answer 14

A cushion of fat that surrounds the kidney and provides shock absorption, insulation, and protection.

Question 15

Renal Fascia

Answer 15

The outermost layer that anchors the kidney to surrounding organs and the abdominal wall, helping to keep it in place.

Question 16

Renal Columns

Answer 16

Inward extensions of cortical tissue that separate the pyramids and provide a pathway for blood vessels within the kidney.

Question 17

Calyces

Answer 17

Minor calyces collect urine from the renal papillae (tips of pyramids); multiple minor calyces converge into major calyces, which then pass urine to the renal pelvis.

Question 18

Glomerulus

Answer 18

A network of capillaries that allows water, ions, and small molecules to be filtered out of the blood into the glomerular capsule.

Question 18

Renal Corpuscle

Answer 18

Made up of the glomerulus + glomerular capsule. It is the site where blood plasma is initially filtered.

Question 19

Glomerular capsule

Answer 19

AKA Bowman’s Capsule

Catches the filtrate coming from the glomerulus and passes it into the renal tubule for further processing.

Question 20

Renal Tubule

Answer 20

A winding tube (composed of proximal tubule, loop of Henle, distal tubule) where reabsorption of water, glucose, and salts occurs and waste products are secreted into the forming urine.

Question 21

Cortical Nephrons

Answer 21

Make up ~85% of nephrons. Located mostly in the cortex. Short loops of Henle. Perform most filtration and reabsorption.

Question 22

Juxtamedullary Nephrons

Answer 22

Have long loops of Henle that dive deep into the medulla. They are crucial for producing concentrated urine by creating a salt gradient.