kidney structure Flashcards
what are the different components of the urinary system and their functions
-vena cava and aorta
-renal vein= carries deoxygenated blood away from the kidney
-renal artery= carries oxygenated blood to the kidney
-kidneys= filters the blood and produces urine
-ureter= carries urine away from the kidney to blader
-bladder= stores urine before it is removed from the body
-sphincter muscle= muscles that opens to allow urine to be removed from the bladder
-urethra= carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body
the glomeruli and convoluted tubules are in the cortex, loops and collecting ducts extend into the medulla
what is the main function of the kidney
to filter blood and produce urine
what is the structure of the kidney
-branch of renal vein and branch of renal artery
-pelvis= part of kidney that collects urine before it passes down the ureter
-medulla= inner region of the kidney
-cortex= outer region in the kidney
-nephron
-capsule= tough fibres coat around the kidney
what is the structure of the nephron
-branch of renal artery-> afferent arteriol = blood arriving at glomerulus
-glomerulus and bowmans capsule -> efferent arteriole = blood exiting glomerulus
-proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) and distal convoluted tubule (DCT)
-loop of henle: descending and ascending limb
-collecting duct
what is the structure and function of the glomerulus
-knot of capillaries
-carries blood from the renal artery for ultrafiltration
what is the structure and function of the bowmans capsule
-cup shaped structure
-for ultrafiltration
what is the structure and function of the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)
-coiled tube leading from Bowman’s capsule
-selective reabsorption for useful substances (glucose, amino acids, water salts)
what is the structure and function of the loop of henle
-U shaped tube
-adjustment of water potential to promote re-absorption of water in collecting duct, creates very salty medulla
what is the structure and function of the distal convoluted tubule (DCT)
-coiled tube leading to the loop of henle
-adjustment of miner ion concentration
what is the structure and function of the collecting duct
-tube collecting fluid from many nephrons leading to the ureter and bladder
-reabsorption of water from the tubule
what is the difference between the afferent and efferent arteriole
-efferent is narrower to raise pressure of BP
how does the structure of the Bowman’s capsule aid ultrafiltration
three layers:
1)endothelium of blood capillary = gaps/ fenestrations between between endothelium, RBC too large to fit through
2)Basement membrane = molecular/ biological mesh
3)podocytes = footlike projections giving space for fluid to pass through
