Renal System

Question 1

What are the 6 major functions of the renal system?

Answer 1

1. Salt and water balance
2. Regulation in ion balance
3. Acid-Base balance
4. Excretion of metabolic wastes, drugs, and toxins
5. Production of EPO and renin
6. Conversion of vitamin D

Question 2

What does retroperitoneal mean?

Answer 2

It describes the bean shape of the kidneys

Question 3

What glands sit on top of the kidneys?

Answer 3

The adrenal glands

Question 4

Which kidney sits lower? Why?

Answer 4

The right kidney is pushed down by the liver

Question 5

What is the outside cleft of the kidney called?

Answer 5

The renal hilium

Question 6

What is the internal space of the kidneys called?

Answer 6

The renal sinus

Question 7

What are the three layers of supportive tissue of the kidney from inside to outside?

Answer 7

1. The renal capsule
2. The perirenal fat capsule
3. Renal Fascia

Question 8

Why is the renal capsule important?

Answer 8

It is a strong barrier to infection

Question 9

What is the role of the perirenal fat capsule?

Answer 9

It is fatty tissue for cushioning

Question 10

What is the composition and role of the renal fascia?

Answer 10

It is dense CT that wraps and anchors the kidneys

Question 11

What is the outer lighter layer of the inside of the kidney called?

Answer 11

The cortex

Question 12

What is the darker layer of the inside of the kidneys called?

Answer 12

The medulla

Question 13

What are the darker patches of the medulla called?

Answer 13

Medullary pyramids/renal pyramids

Question 14

What happens in the medulla?

Answer 14

The filtration of blood

Question 15

What are renal columns? What is their purpose?

Answer 15

Indentations of cortical tissue where blood vessels can feed the kidney cortical region

Question 16

What is the funnel of the urine called in the kidneys?

Answer 16

The pelvis

Question 17

What tubes lead into the renal pelvis?

Answer 17

Major and minor calices

Question 18

How do calices propel urine?

Answer 18

Peristalsis

Question 19

What kind of muscle is found in the ureter?

Answer 19

Smooth muscle

Question 20

What is the pathway of urine from the kidneys to the ureter?

Answer 20

Collecting ducts -> Papillae -> Minor calices -> Major calices -> Pelvis -> Ureter

Question 21

Describe and name the 6 types of arteries in the kidneys

Answer 21

1. Renal artery comes from the renal hilum
2. The renal artery segments into segmental arteries
3. In the renal columns, they are called interlobar arteries
4. When they run parallel to the cortex they are called arcuate arteries
5. Cortical radiate arteries are numerous and run perpendicular to the cortex
6. afferent arterioles are the little branches off the cortical radiate arteries

Question 22

How is the vein system different from the arterial system in the kidneys?

Answer 22

There are no segmental veins

Question 23

What portion of cardiac output goes to the kidneys?

Answer 23

Roughly 1/4

Question 24

Describe the nervous supply of the renal system?

Answer 24

It is innervated by the renal plexus, which is primarily sympathetic nerves (vessel diameter control)

Question 25

What is the microscopic working unit of a kidney?

Answer 25

A nephron

Question 26

What are the five areas that blood filtrate passes through in the nephron?

Answer 26

1. Bowman’s Capsule
2. Proximal convoluted tube
3. Loop of Henle
4. Distal convoluted tube
   5.Collecting duct