Kidney & Nephron

Question 1

Urinary Function Primary Function

Answer 1

Eliminates excess water, salts and metabolic waste in the form of urine
Removes nitrogenous waste and amino acids
Filters blood

Question 2

Urinary System Homeostatic Functions

Answer 2

Regulates blood volume & pressure
Regulates blood ion levels
Stabilizes blood pH
Removes drugs/toxins from blood
Regulates red blood cell production

Question 3

Organs of Urinary System

Answer 3

Kidneys
Ureters
Bladder
Urethra
Nerves & Muscles

Question 4

Kidneys Location

Answer 4

Abdominal cavity
Retroperitoneal (posterior abdominal wall covered anteriorly by peritoneum)
Left slightly above (superior) right

Question 5

Kidneys Protected by:

Answer 5

Visceral organs
Musculature of body and ribs
Fat

Question 6

Kidneys Structure

Answer 6

Cortex
- continuous
- extends into renal columns
Medulla
- divided into pyramids
- each pyramid ends in a papilla
Pelvis
- funnel-like
-dilated

Question 7

Kidney Features

Answer 7

1. Fibrous capsule
2. Renal cortex
3. Renal column
4. Renal medulla
5. Renal pyramids
6. Kidney lobe
7. Minor calyx
8. Major calyx
9. Renal pelvis
10. Hilum
11. Ureter

Question 8

Fibrous Capsule

Answer 8

Protective outer casing of kidneys

Question 9

Renal Cortex

Answer 9

Superficial region containing renal corpuscles, blood vessels and collecting ducts

Question 10

Renal Column

Answer 10

Medullary band of renal cortex between renal pyramids

Question 11

Renal Medulla

Answer 11

Innermost part of kidney

Contains ‘loop of Henle’ and collecting ducts of nephrons

Question 12

Renal Pyramids

Answer 12

Triangular sections of the renal medulla

Question 13

Kidney Lobe

Answer 13

Consists of the renal pyramid, overlying area of renal cortex and adjacent renal columns

Question 14

Minor Calyx

Answer 14

Collects urine produced by a single lobe

Question 15

Major Calyx

Answer 15

Formed by the fusion of 4-5 calyces

Question 16

Renal Pelvis

Answer 16

Collects urine from major calyces

Connected to the ureter

Question 17

Hilum

Answer 17

Central fissure where blood vessels, nerves and the ureter pass

Question 18

Ureter

Answer 18

Tube which drains urine form the renal pelvis to the bladder

Question 19

Kidney Blood Supply TO the Cortex

Answer 19

Abdominal aorta -> renal artery -> small arteries -> afferent arteriole -> glomerulus

Question 20

Kidney Blood Supply AWAY from the Cortex

Answer 20

Efferent arteriole -> cortical veins -> renal vein -> inferior vena cava

Question 21

Kidney: Blood Filtration

Answer 21

Blood -> glomerulus -> filtrates (water, ions, nutrients, waste) -> waste to urine/reabsorption of molecules into blood

Question 22

Nephron

Answer 22

1. Renal corpuscle
2. Proximal convoluted tube
3. Descending limb of nephron loop
4. Ascending limb of nephron loop
5. Distal convoluted tube
6. Collecting duct
7. Papillary duct

Question 23

Renal Corpuscle

Answer 23

Glomerular capsule
Glomerulus
Makes filtrate
Blood pressure forces water and dissolved solutes into capsular space

Question 24

Proximal Convoluted Tube

Answer 24

Reabsorbs most of the nutrients

Reabsorption

Question 25

Descending Limb of Nephron Loop

Answer 25

Reabsorption

Water is reabsorbed

Question 26

Ascending Limb of Nephron Loop

Answer 26

Thick wall prevents water reabsorption

Reabsorption of sodium & chloride

Question 27

Distal Convoluted Tube/Collecting Duct

Answer 27

Reabsorption of water and salt
Under hormonal control
Multiple nephrons drain into each duct
Drain into minor calyces
Concentrates urine

Question 28

Anti-Diuretic Hormone

Answer 28

Released when the brain senses the body is dehydrated
Increases reabsorption of water
Acts on the distal convoluted tube and collecting duct