Kidney - Structure, Function And Disease Flashcards
What is the urinary system made up of?
Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra
What are the 3 main functions of the urinary system?
Excretion
Elimination
Homeostatic regulation
What is excretion and elimination in the urinary system?
Excretion - The removal of waster products from bodily fluids/blood
Elimination - the removal of these waste products in the form on of urine
What homeostatic involvement does the urinary system have?
Regulating blood volume and blood pressure by adjusting how much water is in your blood
Regulating plasma concentrations of ions
Stabilises blood pH
Conserves valuable nutrients
Assists the liver
How many kidneys do we have?
2
Where are the kidneys located?
Posteriorly either side of the vertebral column level with T12-L3
Where is the suprarenal gland located on the kidney?
It is located at the apex of each kidney
What colour and shape are kidneys?
Reddish brown colour and shaped like a kidney bean
What are kidneys suspended by?
They hang suspended by collagen fibres of the renal fascia
What is the working part of the kidney embedded in?
A thick layer of fat ( perinephric fat capsule)
What 2 parts make up the kidney?
Renal cortex and renal medullary
What is the renal cortex?
The outer part of the kidney
What are the projections of the renal cortex that extend down between renal pyramids called?
Cortical columns
Where does ultrafiltration occur?
In the renal cortex
What part of the kidney contains the glomeruli?
Renal cortex
What is the renal medulla?
Inner part of the kidney
Which part of the kidney contains the collecting ducts?
Renal medulla
What makes up a renal lobe?
Renal pyramid
Renal cortex (in that area)
Adjacent cortical column
What does a renal lobe do?
Produces urine
Describe the blood supply to the kidney, starting at the renal artery and finishing at the renal vein
Renal artery
Segmental arteries
Interlobar arteries
Arcutate arteries
Cortical radiate arteries
Afferent arterioles
Glomerulus
Efferent arteriolar
Peritubular capillaries
Venules
Cortical radiate veins
Arcute veins
Interlobar veins
Renal vein
What is the nephron?
The functioning unit of the kidney
It is a tubular structure within the cortex of each renal lobe
What does the nephron consist of?
Renal tubule and a renal corpuscle
What does the renal corpuscle contain?
The glomerular capsule or bowman capsule and the glomerulus
What is the glomerulus?
The capillary network
Where does filtration occur in the kidney?
The nephron
What is the pneumonic to remember the functions of the kidney?
A WET BED
What are the functions of the kidney
A - acid based balance
W - water balance/regulation
E - enthropoiesis -> the making of RBC
T - Toxin removal
B - blood pressure regulation
E - electrolyte balance
D - vitamin D activation
What is nephritis?
Inflammation of the kidneys
Name some types of nephritis
Interstitial nephritis
Pyelonephritis
Glomerulonephritis
What are the symptoms of nephritis?
Pelvic/kidney/abdominal pain
Pain/burning sensation on urination
Nocturia
Cloudy/pus or blood in urine
Swelling of hands, feet and face
Vomiting
High blood pressure
How do you get a diagnosis of nephritis?
Inflammatory/infective markers
Urine tests
Scans
Raised creatine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen)
Renal biopsy
What is nephrosis?
Non inflammatory disease of the kidneys, chiefly affecting the nephrons
What is nephrosis characterised by?
The leaking ion blood protein into the urine -> oedema
What are the symptoms of nephrosis?
Sever swelling of eyes, ankles and feet
Foamy urine
Weight gain
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
How do you diagnose nephrosis?
Urine analysis
Blood tests -> increased cholesterol
What are the treatments for nephrosis?
Medication to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, to thin blood and suppress immune system
What is acute renal failure?
Both kidneys temporarily stop working
There is a sudden onset but failure is reversible
What is chronic renal failure?
Gradual irreversible destruction of the kidney over a long period of time
What are some of the causes of chronic renal failure?
Chronic kidney disease
HTN
DM
What are the stages of chronic renal failure?
Decreased reserve
Renal insufficiency
End stage renal failure
What happens in the decreased reserve stage of chronic renal failure?
Glomerula filtration rate and creatine levels decrease but within normal range
Around 60% of nephrons lost
What happens in the renal insufficiency stage of chronic renal failure?
Change in blood chemistry with increase in waste products in the blood
Decrease in RBC production and increase in blood pressure
Large volumes of dilute urine
Around 75% of nephrons lost
What happens in the end stage of renal failure?
All body systems affected by the retention of waste products
Andria develops
Regular dialysis or treatment is required
More than 90% of nephrons lost
