Renal system Flashcards
Whats the main function of kidneys ?
The kidney is responsible for the removal of nitrogenous waste through blood filtration
What is osmoregulation ?
regulation of the water balance
Where is the kidney located ?
Kidneys lie to the back of the abdominal cavity, protected by the spine + lower ribcage
What is the shape of the kidney ?
Highly vascular bean-shaped organs = nephrons
The two major structures of kidney ?
the outer renal cortex
the inner renal medulla.
The main function of the outer renal cortex ?
regulate concentration of the urine.
The main function of the inner renal medulla ?
contains renal pyramids
What does the renal artery do ?
contains capillary that supplies blood to nephrons
How is blood volume maintained ?
If all filtrate from Bowman’s capsule were lost, the body would go into circulatory shock
Therefore there is also reabsorption from tubular fluid into blood
What is ultrafiltration ?
filtration of the blood which takes place in the glomerulus.
The function of glomorous?
large surface area of blood capillaries
The function of the Bownmans caspule?
Filtration from blood under hydrostatic pressure
What are the ultrafiltration stages in the renal capsule?
Filtered through 3 layers:
Endothelial lining of glomerular blood vessels
Basement membrane – main barrier
Renal capsule cells
The function of proximal convoluted tubule ?
Most filtrate formed in the renal capsule reabsorbed from the PCT into capillaries sodium ions
The function of loop of henle?
Long U shaped section descends deep into medulla
As fluid travels up the ascending limb, Na+ Cl- is actively transported into the surrounding area
Causes water to pass out of the descending limb by osmosis
Small amounts urea,Na+and other ions are also reabsorbed.
