Renal System Flashcards
What are the 6 major functions of the renal system?
- Salt and water balance
- Regulation in ion balance
- Acid-Base balance
- Excretion of metabolic wastes, drugs, and toxins
- Production of EPO and renin
- Conversion of vitamin D
What does retroperitoneal mean?
It describes the bean shape of the kidneys
What glands sit on top of the kidneys?
The adrenal glands
Which kidney sits lower? Why?
The right kidney is pushed down by the liver
What is the outside cleft of the kidney called?
The renal hilium
What is the internal space of the kidneys called?
The renal sinus
What are the three layers of supportive tissue of the kidney from inside to outside?
- The renal capsule
- The perirenal fat capsule
- Renal Fascia
Why is the renal capsule important?
It is a strong barrier to infection
What is the role of the perirenal fat capsule?
It is fatty tissue for cushioning
What is the composition and role of the renal fascia?
It is dense CT that wraps and anchors the kidneys
What is the outer lighter layer of the inside of the kidney called?
The cortex
What is the darker layer of the inside of the kidneys called?
The medulla
What are the darker patches of the medulla called?
Medullary pyramids/renal pyramids
What happens in the medulla?
The filtration of blood
What are renal columns? What is their purpose?
Indentations of cortical tissue where blood vessels can feed the kidney cortical region
What is the funnel of the urine called in the kidneys?
The pelvis
What tubes lead into the renal pelvis?
Major and minor calices
How do calices propel urine?
Peristalsis
What kind of muscle is found in the ureter?
Smooth muscle
What is the pathway of urine from the kidneys to the ureter?
Collecting ducts -> Papillae -> Minor calices -> Major calices -> Pelvis -> Ureter
Describe and name the 6 types of arteries in the kidneys
- Renal artery comes from the renal hilum
- The renal artery segments into segmental arteries
- In the renal columns, they are called interlobar arteries
- When they run parallel to the cortex they are called arcuate arteries
- Cortical radiate arteries are numerous and run perpendicular to the cortex
- afferent arterioles are the little branches off the cortical radiate arteries
How is the vein system different from the arterial system in the kidneys?
There are no segmental veins
What portion of cardiac output goes to the kidneys?
Roughly 1/4
Describe the nervous supply of the renal system?
It is innervated by the renal plexus, which is primarily sympathetic nerves (vessel diameter control)
What is the microscopic working unit of a kidney?
A nephron
What are the five areas that blood filtrate passes through in the nephron?
- Bowman’s Capsule
- Proximal convoluted tube
- Loop of Henle
- Distal convoluted tube
5.Collecting duct
