Renal Block Flashcards
What is the primary role of the kidneys?
What are their specific functions?
- To maintain the volume and composition of body fluids despite wide variation in daily intake of water and solute
- Regulate water and inorganic ion balance (osmolarity)
Balance acid/base equilibrium
Eliminate metabolic waste products (i.e. urea, uric acid, creatinine)
Eliminate foreign compounds
Gluconeogenesis
Secrete hormones
Draw and label the Lobule of the kidney. Where is it located?
The lobule of the kidney is centered on the Medullary Rays

What are the functional units of the kidney called?
Nephrons
Which 2 cell types make up the collecting duct, and what are their functions?
- Principal cells - NaCl reabsorption and K+ secretion
- Intercalated cells - acid-base balance
Define Renal Lobe
A single pyramid with is overlying cortex
Define Renal Lobule
A single medullary ray with adjacent cortical labyrinth.
A functional unit that consists of collecting duct and all the nephrons that it drains
What is the function of the renal cortex?
site of glomerular filtration
What is the function of the renal medulla?
Drainage of collecting ducts into renal pelvis and ureter
Name the vessels of renal veins in order of fluid flow
Renal vein → Interlobular vein → arcuate vein → interlobular vein → stellate veins
note that the ascending vasa recta branches off from the arcuate vein as does the interlobular vein
vasa recta is located in the pyramid of the medulla
Name the vessels of renal arteries in order of fluid flow
Renal artery → interlobar artery → arcuate artery → interlobular artery → afferent arteriole → superficial glomerulus → efferent arteriole → peritubular capillary beds
note that the efferent arteriole of the juxtamedullary glomerulus becomes the descending vasa recta
vasa recta is located in the pyramid of the medulla
Name the sections of the renal tubules in order starting with Bowman’s Capsule
Bowman’s Capsule → proximal convoluted tubule → descending loop of Henle → thick ascending loop of Henle → macula densa (cells) → distal convoluted tubule → cortical collecting duct → outer medullary collecing duct → inner medullary collecting duct → papillary duct (duct of Bellini)
How is the Medullary Ray defined?
It sits right at the border between the cortex and the medulla and it encompasses only straight tubules (from the loops of Henle and the collecting tubule)
Renal Hilum
Area where blood vessels and nerves enter and exit the kidney. Concaved part of the “bean shape”
Approximately how many nephrons are there/kidney?
1 million
Which structures make up each nephron?
a “tuft of capillaries” and a renal tubule, which forms a cup shape around the capillaries
- glomerular capsule/Bowman’s capsule
What are the 2 types of nephrons and what are their primary characteristics?
-
Cortical nephron
- most nephrons are in this category (85%)
- have short loops of Henle -
Juxtamedullary nephron
- the glomeruli of these nephrons are found at the border between the cortex and medulla
- have long loops of Henle
- heavily involved in urine concentration
- make up 15% of nephrons
What are the sections of the medulla and how are they defined?
Outer Medulla
- outer stripe: thick tubular segments and outer medullary collecting ducts
- inner stripe: thick and thin tubular segments and outer medullary collecting ducts
Inner Medulla
- thin tubular segments and inner medullary collecting ducts
What makes up the Renal Corpuscle?
The glomerulus and Bowman’s Capsule
Describe the orientation of the epithelial cells that line the renal tubules
The luminal membrane of the cells faces the lumen of the tubule, while the basolateral membrane of the cells is in contact with interstitial fluid and peritubular capillaries.
There are tight junctions between these cells.
What lines Bowman’s Space?
Bowman’s space is surrounded by 2 epithelial layers
What are the 2 Fluid-filled spaces of the Renal Corpuscle, and what makes up the fluid that fills each of them?
Describe the function of the space if specific
Vascular Space
- structure: glomerular capillaries
- fluid: plasma, RBCs, WBCs, proteins, electrolytes, etc
Urinary Space
- structure: Bowman’s space (lined by 2 epithelial layers)
- fluid: ultrafiltrate plasma
- function: this is the first step in urine formation
Name the cells that make up the vascular pole of a Renal Corpuscle and state where they are located (in relation to other structures)
Macula densa cells are found near the distal convoluted tubule
Smooth muscle cells line the afferent and efferent arterioles
Juxtaglomerular cells
Extraglomerular mesangial cells
Mesangial cells
Foot processes (pedicels) of podocytes
Name the cells that make up the urinary pole of a Renal Corpuscle and state where they are located (in relation to other structures)
Podocyte (visceral layer)
Parietal layer (Bowman’s Capsule)
Name the functions of Mesangial Cells
- Provide mechanical support
- Control GBM material turnover
- Regulate blood flow
- Secrete vasoactive substances
- Respond to angiotensin II




