Lecture 20 - The Urinary System Flashcards
what is the main function of the urinary system?
the ensure optimal properties of the blood (homeostasis) by removing metabolic wastes generated by body cells
true or false: the purpose of the urinary system is to produce urine
false, the purpose is to ensure that you have good blood, urine is a byproduct
what are the six other functions of the urinary system?
1) regulates blood ionic composition
2) regulates blood pH
3) regulates blood volume and pressure
4) produces hormones
5) helps liver detoxify poisons and regulate glucose levels
6) conserve valuable nutrients and eliminates waste
are the kidneys intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal?
retroperitoneal, posterior to the abdominal wall
where are the kidneys located in reference to the ribs?
the left kidney runs from T12-L2, the right kidney runs from L1-L3
why is the left kidney higher than the right kidney?
the liver pushes the right kidney down during development
what is located on the superior-medial surface of each kidney?
the adrenal glands
list the layers of connective tissues that surround the kidneys
- perirenal fat
- renal fascia
- pararenal fat
connective tissue that surrounds the perirenal fat
renal fascia
a layer of fat that is beside the kidneys and behind the parietal peritoneum
pararenal fat
tubes that drain into the renal pelvis
minor calyx and major calyx
a very tight connective tissue that wraps around the kidneys
the fibrous capsule
like the lungs, the kidneys also has a _____ for vessels to enter and exit
hilum
contains one renal pyramid, and half a renal column on either side, and reaches up to the capsule
renal lobe
the apex of the renal pyramid
renal papilla
the renal pyramid is made of:
medulla
what is the path that urine follows through the kidneys?
renal pyramid –> renal papilla –> minor calyx –> major calyx –> renal pelvis
how many minor calyces form a major calyx?
2-3
what is the path of blood flow through the kidneys?
renal artery –> segmental artery –> interlobar arteries –> arcuate arteries –> interlobular arteries –> afferent arterioles –> nephrons –> efferent arterioles –> peritubular capillaries/vasa recta —> interlobular veins –> arcuate veins –> interlobar veins –> segmental veins –> renal vein
peritubular capillaries are located in the
cortex of the kidneys
the vasa recta are located in the
medulla of the kidneys
the basic functional unit of the kidney
the nephron
how many nephrons are in each kidney
~1 million
what are the two basic components of the nephron
the corpuscle and long simple epithelial renal tubule
blood is filtered in the:
renal corpuscle
which components of blood are retained after filtration?
blood cells and large proteins
which components of blood are filtered into the nephron?
low molecular weight proteins, ions, metabolites, dissolved wastes, etc.
which substances are reabsorbed into the bloodstream in the renal tubule?
water, ions, and useful substances
initial dilated part of the nephron with capillary loops, located in the cortex, and produces filtrate
renal corpuscle
which blood vessel marks the separation between the cortex and medulla?
arcuate artery
the long, convoluted part of the nephron with the short, straight part going into the medulla but is mostly located into the cortex, and is the site of reabsorption
proximal convoluted tubule
located in the medulla and responsible for the recovery of water and sodium from the urine
thick and thin descending limbs, thin and thick ascending limbs
long convoluted part of the nephron which is closely associated with the renal corpuscle, and is located in the cortex
distal convoluted tubule
short and links nephron to the collecting ducts (has a hormonal effect in the medulla)
connecting tubule
collects urine and leaves the kidneys
collecting ducts
what are the two types of nephrons? which is more abundant?
cortical nephrons (85% - most abundant) and juxtamedullary nephrons (15%)
type of nephron responsible for most reabsorption and secretions
cortical nephron
type of nephron with the necessary conditions to concentrate the urine
juxtamedullary nephron