Physiology - The Kidneys: Structure and Function Flashcards
Which two types of things do kindeys exclusively excrete?
Metabolic waste products (e.g. urea, uric acid, bilirubin)
Foreign compounds (e.g. pesticides)
Which two hormones can the kidneys secrete?
Erythropoietin
Renin
What is the primary fucntion of the kidneys?
Regulate volume, composition and osmolarity of body fluids
Which 3 functional mechanisms are required in the nephron?
- Filtration
- Reabsorption
- Secretion
How does blood travel within the nephron?
- Renal artery
- Afferent arteriole
- Glomerulus
- Efferent arteriole
- Peritubular capillaries
- Venule
- Renal vein
What is the term given to the first part of the nephron?
Bowman’s capsule
What is the juxta-glomerular apparatus?
The region of the nephron where a small part of the distal tubule passes between the afferent and efferent arterioles
At which point is urine produced?
At the collecting duct
(it undergoes no further change from here)
What are the two types of nephrons found in the kidney?
Juxtamedullary (20%)
Cortical (80%
What are the two differences between juxtamedullary and cortical nephons?
Loop of Henle is much longer in juxtamedullary nephron
Juxtamedullary nephron does not have peritubular capillaries but instead a single capillary - the vasa recta
Which type of nephron produces the most concentrated urine?
Juxtamedullary nephron
The diameter of the afferent arteriole is ________ than that of the efferent arteriole
The diameter of the afferent arteriole is greater than that of the efferent arteriole
Which cells make up the inner layer of the Bowman’s capsule?
Podocytes
(Each cell has foot-like extensions which connect with each other forming filtration slits)
What comprises the glomerular membrane?
- Podocytes
- Basement membrane (acellular)
- Endothelial cells (of glomerular capillary)
What is the function of the granular cells in the juxtaglomerular apparatus?
Renin production
