Kidney anatomy Flashcards
Between which vertebral levels do the kidneys lie?
T12-L3
What is the maximal vertical movement of the kidneys from end-expiratory to end-inspiration?
40mm
At which vertebral level do the renal hila sit at?
L1 (transpyloric plane)
What is the basic functional unit of the kidney?
Nephron
What is the nephron responsible for?
Regulation of water and soluble substances in the blood through filtration and reabsorption.
The nephron plays a role in homeostasis of what 3 things?
Blood volume
Blood pressure
Plasma osmolarity
How many nephrons are contained within each kidney?
~1 million
What is the first part of the nephron?
Renal corpuscle
What is the renal corpuscle composed of?
Glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule
Where in the nephron does plasma undergo filtration?
Renal corpuscle
Which arteriole of the glomerulus has a smaller diameter?
Efferent
Why does the referent arteriole in the glomerulus have a smaller diameter than the afferent arteriole?
In order to create a hydrostatic pressure gradient within the glomerulus.
The inner visceral layer of the Bowman’s capsule is formed by which types of cell?
Podocytes
What do the podocytes do?
Wrap around capillaries and leave slits between them (filtration slits)
Where does glomerular filtrate pass into after the renal corpuscle?
Renal tubule
What are the parts of the renal tubule?
PCT
Loop of Henle
DCT
Collecting duct
Which part of the kidney does the PCT lie in?
The cortex
Where does the majority of solute reabsorption occur in the renal tubule?
PCT
Reabsorption in the PCT is driven by what?
ATP dependent transporters
What types of cell are found in the PCT?
Cuboidal
Abdundant mitochondria
Multiple microvilli
Which part of the kidney does the loop of hence lie in?
Medulla
What type of cells are found in the descending loop of Henle?
Flat cells
Few mitochondria
Few microvilli
What substance is moved mainly in the descending loop of Henle?
Water by osmosis (no solute movement)
What type of cell is found in the ascending loop of henle?
Cuboidal cells
Impermeable to water
Plentiful mitochondria
Which transporters are found in the ascending loop of Henle?
Na K 2Cl channels
The different functions of the areas of the loop of hence contribute towards what?
Medullary concentration gradient + countercurrent multiplication
What is the function of the DCT?
Variable resorption and secretion to fine-control urine composition.
The DCTs of many nephrons converge into what?
A single collecting duct
The upper collecting duct is lined by what cells?
Columnar epithelium
The lower collecting duct is composed of what cells?
Columnar urothelium