L21 Anatomy of Renal System Flashcards
Which of the following is not a function of the renal system?
A) Regulate red blood cell count
B) Detoxify free radicals and some drugs
C) Conjugation of bilirubin
D) Carry out gluconeogenesis in times of starvation
E) Calcium homeostasis
C) Conjugation of bilirubin
The functions of the renal system:
- Filter blood plasma to remove waste
- Regulate blood volume and pressure
- Regulate electrolyte balance
- Regulate body fluid pH
- Regulate red blood cell count
- Contribute to calcium homeostasis
- Detoxify free radicals and some drugs
- Carry out gluconeogenesis in times of starvation
Which 6 organs comprise the renal system?
Kidneys (left/right)
Ureters (left/right)
Urinary bladder
Urethra
In which space do the kidneys reside?
Retroperitoneal
The superior and inferior poles of the kidneys are generally found at which vertebral levels?
A) T12 and L3
B) T11 and L1
C) T12 and L2
D) T11 and L3
A) T12 and L3
Which bony structures partially protect the kidneys?
11th and 12th ribs
Which of the layers that surround the kidney is being described?
- Smooth and transparent
- Dense, irregular connective tissue
- Continuous with outer layer of ureter
- Trauma barrier
- Maintains shape of kidney
Renal Capsule
This is the most deep of the three layers. The adipose capsule is the middle layer, which the renal fascia is the most superficial.
Which of the layers that surround the kidney is being described?
- Fatty tissue
- Trauma barrier
- Maintains position of kidney
Adipose capsule
This is the middle layer. The renal capsule is the most deep layer, while the renal fascia is the most superficial.
Which of the layers that surround the kidney is being described?
- Dense, irregular connective tissue
- Anchors kidney to abdominal wall and surrounding structures
Renal fascia
This is the most superficial layer. The renal capsule is the most deep layer, while the adipose capsule is the middle layer.
True or false: The renal medulla is deep to the cortex?
True
Which structures make up the renal parenchyma?
Renal cortex and medulla make up the renal parenchyma. The remaining structures are in the renal sinus.
What structures make up a renal lobe?
1 renal pyramid
The overlying area of cortex
Half of each adjacent renal column
Which renal vessels can be considered portal vessels?
Efferent arterioles
What is the benefit of having arterioles at either end of the glomerular capillary bed?
Glomerular capillaries need high pressure for filtration. Having afferent arterioles allows control of the pressure entering the capillary bed, while efferent arterioles can constrict to maintain the pressure in the cap. bed.
An efferent venule would not be able to control pressure.
Describe the route taken by blood between the renal artery and the renal vein.
(There are 14 changes -
yes it’s a lot to remember, think of the mnemonic)
- Renal artery
- Segmental arteries
- Interlobar arteries
- Arcuate ateries
- Interlobular arteries
- Afferent arterioles
- Glomerular capillaries
- Efferent arterioles
- Peritubular capillaries
- Interlobular veins
- Arcuate veins
- Interlobar veins
- Segmental veins
- Renal vein
(Remember: regular sex is an intense activity giving each person involved an incredibly satisfying release)
Each nephron is supplied by how many afferent arterioles?
1
What are the two components that comprise the renal corpuscle?
Glomerulus
Bowman’s capsule
Where are podocytes found?
Form the inner visceral layer of Bowman’s capsules, enveloping glomerular capillaries
What structures comprise the renal tubule?
Proximal convoluted tubule
Loop of Henle
Distal tubule
Collecting duct
If a nephron has a short loop of Henle and the glomerulus is found in the upper two-thirds of the cortex, what type of nephron is it?
Cortical Nephron
85% of nephrons are cortical.
If a nephron has a long loop of Henle and the glomerulus is found in the lower third of the cortex, what type of nephron is it?
Juxtamedullary
15% of nephrons are juxtamedullary
How does the arrangement of the proximal change across it’s length?
Early part (pars convoluta) is convoluted, late part (pars recta) is straight.
What type of epithelium is found in the proximal tubule?
Cuboidal/columnar.
Pars convoluta contains lots of microvilli - good for reabsorption.
Pars recta contains much fewer microvilli, has a much lower rate of reabsorption.
True or false: The descending limb of the loop of Henle is thick, while the ascending limb is thin.
False, the descending limb is thin and the ascending limb is thick.
Why do the cells lining the ascending limb of the loop of Henle have a lot of mitochondria?
Metabolically active.
These cells contains lots of pumps that require ATP.
The final part of the loop of Henle is adjacent to what blood vessels?
The afferent and (often) efferent arterioles.
This allows specialist cells (macula densa) to measure salt concentration in the distal convoluted tubule and have an effect on the arterioles in response.
Known as juxtaglomerular apparatus.
Describe the histology of the distal convoluted tubule.
Early part: cuboidal, very similar to ascending limb of loop of Henle
Late part: Also cuboidal, but has two cell types:
- Principal cells (ADH, aldosterone)
- Intercalated cells (Carbonic anhydrase)
True or false: Each nephron has its own collecting duct.
False.
Each collecting duct receives fluid from approx. 6 distal tubules.
Collecting ducts pair up in the medulla to form __?__. These drain into the minor calyces.
Ducts of Bellini
