Normal A&P of Urinary System Flashcards
Elimination of waste products
-Nitrogenous wastes
-Toxins
-Drugs
Regulate aspects of homeostasis
-Water balance
-Electrolytes
-Acid base balance in the blood
-Blood pressure
-RBC production
-Activation of vitamin D
Organs of the urinary system
-Kidneys
-Ureters
-Urinary bladder
-Urethra
Location of the kidneys
-Against the dorsal body wall
-At the level of T12 to L3
-The right kidney is slightly lower than the left
-Attached to ureters, renal blood vessels, and nerves at renal hilus
-Atop each kidney is an adrenal gland
Coverings of the kidneys
-Renal capsule
-Adipose capsule
Renal capsule
Surrounds each kidney
Adipose capsule
-Surrounds the kidney
-Provides protection to the kidney
-Helps keep the kidney in its correct location
Regions of the kidney
-Renal cortex
-Renal medulla
-Renal pelvis
Renal cortex
Outer region
Renal medulla
Inside the cortex
Renal pelvis
Inner collecting tube
Kidney structures
-Medullary pyramids
-Renal columns
-Calyces
Medullary pyramids
Triangular regions of tissue in the medulla
Renal columns
Extensions of cortex-like material inward
Calyces
Cup shaped structures that funnel urine towards the renal pelvis
Nephrons
-The structural and functional units of the kidneys
-Responsible for forming urine
Main structures of the nephrons
-Glomerulus
-Renal tubule
Glomerulus
-A specialized capillary bed
-Attached to arterioles on both sides (maintains high pressure)
-Sits within a glomerular capsule (the first part of the renal tubule)
Renal tubule
-Glomerular (Bowman’s) capsule
-Proximal convoluted tubule
-Loop of Henle
-Distal convoluted tubule
Cortical nephrons
-Located entirely in the cortex
-Includes most nephrons
Juxtamedullary nephrons
Found at the boundary of the cortex and medulla
Urine formation processes
-Filtration
-Reabsorption
-Secretion
Materials not reabsorbed
~Nitrogenous waste products
