Kidney Histology Flashcards
what is the kidney covered by
a fibrous capsule
what is the basic functional unit of the kidney
nephrons
what are nephrons made up of
renal corpuscles and renal tubules
what is the Bowmen’s capsule
the cup of single squamous epithelium at the blind end of the nephron which capillaries invaginate into
what is at the core of the glomerulus
scattered mesangial cells, which produce connective tissue called the mesangium
where are podocytes found in the renal corpuscle
covering most of the capillary surface in the glomerulus, podocytes are reflection of Bowen’s capsule
what are the 2 poles of the glomerulus
vascular pole and urinary pole
what are the 4 parts of the nephron, from glomerulus outwards
Bowen’s capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, Loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule
what is reabsorbed at the proximal convoluted tubule
water, sodium, proteins, amino acids, carbs, glucose
how is the SA of the proximal convoluted tubule increased to aid absorption
vast amount of microvilli which are extensions of cells, forming a brush border
what part of the kidney is the Loop of Henle found in
the renal medulla
what is the role of the Loop of Henle
creation of hyperosmotic environment in medulla
what 3 parts is the Loop of Henle made up of
1) thick descending limb, 2) thin descending limb, which makes hairpin turn and comes back as thin ascending limb, 3) thick ascending limb
what are the thick and thin limbs of the Loop of Henle lined by
thick = simple cuboidal epithelium thin = simple squamous epithelium
describe the blood vessels in the renal medulla that allow the high osmotic gradient to be preserved
loops of thin walled blood vessels that, just like the Loop of Henle, come from cortex and loop down through medulla and back up to cortex
