Microscopic Anatomy

Question 1

• What is the significance of end arteries?

Answer 1

No sufficient anastomoses, blocking one artery will remove perfusion of that area

Question 2

• What two structures make up the nephron?

Answer 2

Renal corpuscle & tubules

Question 3

• What makes up the Bowman’s capsule?

Answer 3

Parietal layer, podocytes & endothelial cells

Question 4

• What is the function of the mesangial cells?

Answer 4

Give support, clean the glomerular basal laminar

Question 5

• What three units make up the filtration apparatus?

Answer 5

Fenestrated capillary endothelium, glomerular basement membrane, podocytes

Question 6

• What are the three parts of the loop of Henle?

Answer 6

Thin descending limb, thin ascending limb, thick ascending limb

Question 7

• What is significant about the basal cell membrane?

Answer 7

Infolded to increase the surface area

Question 8

• What is the juxtaglomerular apparatus?

Answer 8

Terminal portion of the straight distal tubule

Question 9

• What are the three components of the juxtaglomerular apparatus?

Answer 9

Juxtaglomerular cells, macula densa, extraglomerular mesangium

Question 10

• What are the primary functions of these three components?

Answer 10

Juxtaglomerular cells secrete renin, macula densa measures Na+, extraglomerular mesangium transfers information

Question 11

• What are the functions of the light and dark cells of the collecting ducts and tubules?

Answer 11

Light cells – regulation of water excretion, dark cells – pH regulation

Question 12

• What is contained within the medulla of the kidney?

Answer 12

Straight tubules, collecting ducts, vasa recta

Question 13

• What are the main features of transitional epithelium?

Answer 13

Stretchable & permeable

Question 14

• Where is the outer longitudinal layer of muscle of the ureter found?

Answer 14

Close to the bladder