Renal Anatomy: Gross Structure of the Kidney

Question 1

This is waste product excreted to maintain balance within the body. This would normally contain water, salts, urea, metabolites, hormones, small proteins.

Answer 1

Urine

Question 2

True or False. Urine is tightly regulated and influenced by what is excreted.

Answer 2

False. Urine is not tightly regulated.

Question 3

What are the 4 main components of the urinary system?

Answer 3

Kidneys (2), Ureters (2), urinary bladder and urethra

Question 4

Where are the kidneys orientated? (in terms of vertebra?

Answer 4

Between T12 and L3 vertebra (11th and 12th rib)

Question 5

How are the convex sides orientated in the kidney?

Answer 5

Laterally

Question 6

This is a concave notch in the medial surface that contains renal blood vessel, lymphatics, nerves and ureter.

Answer 6

Hilum

Question 7

What are the 3 structures that protect the kidneys?

Answer 7

Perirenal fat casule
Fibrous capsule
Ribs (11th and 12th rib)

Question 8

Where are the kidneys located?

Answer 8

Posterior to the abdominal wall covered by peritoneum on the anterior side (so it is a retroperitoneal organ)

Question 9

What are the 3 regions of the kidney?

Answer 9

Cortex, medulla, pelvis

Question 10

This is a region of the kidney that’s divided into pyramids. Each pyramid ends in a papilla which collects all of the drained waste/fluid.

Answer 10

Inner medulla

Question 11

This is a region of the kidney that is a continuous layer and has renal columns. It surrounds the nephron.

Answer 11

Outer cortex

Question 12

These are tiny tubes that filter from blood and create urine. These are found in kidney lobes

Answer 12

Nephrons.

Question 13

Urine drains from each papilla and collects in a?

Answer 13

Calyx

Question 14

Calyces join together to form a?

Answer 14

Renal pelvis

Question 15

As the pelvis narrows to exit the hilum, it becomes known as what structure?

Answer 15

Ureter

Question 16

What region does filtration occur in the kidney?

Answer 16

Cortex (specifically in the nephrons)

Question 17

These deliver the blood from arteries to the glomerulus.

Answer 17

Afferent arterioles

Question 18

These deliver blood from the glomerulus to the peritubular capillaries.

Answer 18

Efferent arterioles

Question 19

What are the 2 capillary networks in the kidney?

Answer 19

Glomerular capillaries and peritubular capillaries

Question 20

This is where filtration occurs in the glomerulus.

Answer 20

Glomerular capillary/nephron

Question 21

These are responsible for carrying blood to the veins from the capillary network.

Answer 21

Peritubular capillaries

Question 22

What is the blood flow of blood supply into the kidneys?

Answer 22

abdominal aorta > renal artery > series of arteries > afferent arteriole > glomerular capillaryW

Question 23

What is the blood flow of blood supply away from the cortex? (after the blood’s been filtered?)

Answer 23

efferent arterioles > peritubular capillaries > series of veins > renal veins > inferior vena cava

Question 24

The nerve supply within the kidney is innervated by what kinds of nerves?

Answer 24

Autonomic nerves and ganglia => renal plexus

Question 25

These act to adjust the diameter of renal arterioles and thus regulate blood flow.

Answer 25

Sympathetic nerves

Question 26

These are the microscopic functional unit of the kidney.

Answer 26

Nephron