Kidneys Flashcards
What is the location of the widening of the ureter?
Renal pelvis
What is the tip of each renal pyramid?
Renal papillae
The renal sinus contains portions of what type of tissue?
Adipose
What are the two general functioning regions of parenchyma of the kidneys?
Cortex and medulla
Medullary rays consist of what structures?
Loop of henle and collecting tubules (mostly in medulla though)
The medullary rays extend in what areas?
From medulla to cortex
What is contained in the cortex of the kidney?
Renal corpuscles, medullary rays, tubules
What is contained in the medulla of the kidney?
Renal pyramids and columns
How many renal pyramids are there per kidney?
8-12
What are the structures separating the renal pyramids?
Renal columns
How many major calyces are there per kidney?
2-3
Each kidney has how many nephrons?
About 1 million
What is the general function of the renal corpuscle?
Blood filtration
What are the two major parts of the renal corpuscle?
Bowman’s capsule, glomerulus
What makes up the parietal layer of the Bowman’s capsule?
Simple squamous epithelium
What makes up the visceral layer of the Bowman’s capsule?
Internal layer of podocytes
What is the space between the parietal and visceral layers of the Bowman’s capsule?
Urinary (capsular) space
What is the function of the urinary space of the Bowman’s capsule?
Receives filtered fluid from capillaries
Podocytes contain what structures that cover the glomerular capillaries creating filtration slits?
Pedicels
What is the structure of the glomerulus?
Fenestrated capillary network with a basement membrane
Where is the glomerulus located?
Between two arterioles
Why is it significant that the glomerulus is located in between two arterioles?
Tunica media is able to increase pressure to enhance filtration
What are mesangial cells?
Special cells found in renal corpuscles often present in areas lacking podocytes