Lecture 10: The Urinary System Flashcards
what is the urinary system
-removal of metabolic wastes produced by body’s cells
-kidneys remove metabolic wastes from circulation
-main components: kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra
describe the main components of the urinary system
-kidneys: produce urine
-ureters: transport urine toward the urinary bladder
-urinary bladder: temporarily stores urine prior to urination
-urethra: conducts urine to exterior; in males it also transports semen
what are the three main functions of the urinary system
- excretion: removal of metabolic (nitrogenous) wastes from body fluids
- elimination: discharge of wastes from body
- homeostatic regulation: volume and solute concentration of blood
what are the homeostatic function of the kidneys
-regulation of blood ionic composition; Na+, K+, Cl-
-regulation of blood pH; H+, HCO3-
-regulation of blood volume; H20
-regulation of blood pressure
-maintenance of blood osmolarity
-production of hormones; calcitriol and erythropoietin (RBC production)
-excretion of metabolic wastes and foreign substances (drugs or toxins)
-regulation of blood glucose level
explain the renal anatomy
-The kidneys are retroperitoneal, on either side of T12-L3
-Left kidney is slightly higher right kidney
-Superior surfaces capped by the adrenal gland
-Position maintained by: Overlying peritoneum, Contact with adjacent visceral organs, Supporting connective tissues
what is the renal hilum
-indented area
-entrance for renal artery, renal vein, ureter, nerves, lymphatics
what are the 3 CT layers the protect and stabilize the kidneys from deep to superficial
- renal capsule: dense CT layer, continuous with outer coat of ureter
- perinepheric fat (adipose capsule): fatty tissue surrounding renal capsule, protects and anchors kidney
- renal fascia: dense CT which anchors kidney to surrounding structures
what are the different componenets of the kidney
renal cortex, renal medulla, renal pyramids, renal columns, renal sinus, kidney lobe, major calyx, renal pelvis
what is the renal cortex
outer region of kidney in contact with renal capsule
what is the renal medulla
inner region, comprises renal pyramidsw
what are the renal pyramids
triangular structures within medulla
- base abuts cortex
-apex (renal papilla) projects into renal sinus
-secreting apparatus and tubules
what are the renal columns
anchor the cortex
-bands of cortical tissue that separate adjacent renal pyramids
-extend into medulla
what is the renal sinus
internal cavity within kidney
-stabilizes positions of ureter, renal blood vessels, and nerves
what are the kidney lobes
produces urine; consists of:
-a renal pyramid
-overlying area of renal cortex
-adjacent tissues of renal columns
there are ducts within each renal papilla which discharge urine into a minor calyx
what is the major calyx
formed by four or more minor calyces
what is the renal pelvis
large, funnel-shaped chamber
-formed by two or more calyces
-occupies most of renal sinus
-connected to ureter which drains kidneys
what is the direction of urine flow
renal pyramid-> minor calyx-> major calyx-> renal pelvis-> ureter
blood supply of the kidneys
-nurtrient rich blood: renal artery-> segmental artery-> interlobar artery-> arcuate artery-> cortical radiate artery-> afferent arteriole-> glomerulus capillaries
efferent arteriole
-deoxy blood: peritubular capillary-> venule-> cortical radiate vein-> arcuate vein-> interlobar vein-> renal vein
look at slide 9
blood supply
describe the kidney innervation (2 ways)
renal nerves: through hilum
-innervate kidneys and ureters
-follow branches of renal arteries to individual nephrons
sympathetic innervation
-adjusts rate of urine formation; by changing blood flow at nephron
-influences urine composition; by stimulating release of renin
what is the nephron
-structural and functional units of kidneys that form urine
-consists of two parts: 1. renal corpuscle, 2. renal tubule-> collecting system
what are the two parts of the renal corpuscle
the glomerulus and glomerular capsule
what is the glomerulus (part of renal corpuscle
tuft of capillaries; fed by the afferent arteriole and drains into the efferent arteriole
what is the glomerular (Bowman’s) capsule (part of renal corpuscle
it is the visceral layer of podocytes wrap around the capillaries
-foot processes (pedicels): form inner wall of capsule
-filtrate is collected between the visceral and parietal layers
-filtration slits: between pedicels allow filtrate to pass into capsular space
what are two other parts of the renal corpuscle
-glomerular capillaries: fenestrated capillaries; endothelium contains large-diameter pores
-intraglomerular mesangial cells: located among glomerular capillaries, they provide support/ filtration/ and phagocytosis, control diamter of capillaries
what are the renal tubules
-two convoluted segments: proximal tubule (PCT), and distal convoluted tubule (DCT)
-segments are separated by nephron loop (loop of Henle)= U-shaped tube, extends at least partially into medulla
-filtrate changes in composition, going thorugh the tubule= due to substances being reabsorbed or secreted in various segments or nephron
what is the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) (in renal tubule)
-first segment of renal tubule
-entrance to PCT lies opposite of connection of afferent and efferent arterioles with glomerulus
-simple cubiodal epitheliu,; microvilli on apical surfaces
-primary function: reabsorption of ions
what is the nephron loop/ Loop of Henle (in renal tubule)
-descending limb: fluid flows toward renal pelvis
-ascending limb: fluid flows towards renal cortex
-segments of limb have thick or thin epithelia: descending thin limb (DTL), ascending thin limb (ATL), thick ascending limb (TAL)
what is the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) (in renal tubule)
-3rd segment of renal tubule
-initial portion passes between afferent and efferent arterioles
-smaller luminal diameter than PCT
-epithelial cells lack microvilli
-primary function: reabsorb H2O and selected ions; actively secretes unwanted substances
what is the juxtaglomerular complex (JGC)
-region of contact between afferent arteriole, efferent arteriole and the distal tubule
-regulates blood pressure and filtrate formation