Lecture 7 - The Urinary System Flashcards
what is the position of the kidneys?
on posterior abdominal wall behind peritoneum, surrounded by perirenal fat and connected to posterior abdominal wall by connective tissue called renal fascia
each kidney surmounted by adrenal gland
describe the external structure of the kidney
superior pole on top
lateral border (outer curve)
medial border (inner curve with helium)
inferior pole down below
what is the helium?
inner C shaped border (where renal artery and nerve enter & renal vein and ureter exit)
what is the kidney surrounded by?
thin layer of fibrous tissue
what is the cortex?
inside capsule, around medulla
what is the medulla?
renal pyramids
base is against cortex
apex points toward helium
apex opens in calyces which open into pelvis of kidney -> ureter
how are the parts of the nephron separated?
renal corpuscle (glomerulus and bowman’s capsule)
renal tubule (tubules and loop of Henle)
what is transitional epithelium?
surface cells dome shaped
stretches readily
permits distension of urinary organ by contained urine
lines the ureters, urinary bladder, and part of urethra
what is there area between renal pyramids called?
renal column
