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