Renal System Flashcards
What does each nephron consist of?
Renal Corpuscle & Renal tubule
What does each renal corpuscle consist of?
Glomerulus - knot of capillaries and a cup shaped hollow structure that completely surrounds the glomerulus
What surrounds the renal corpuscle?
An inner layer made up of cells called podocytes - intertwine and cling onto the glomerulus
What does the renal tubule consist of?
Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT); Nephron loop & distal convoluted tubule (DCT)
What are the two types of nephrons?
Cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons
What are the capillaries/arteries that connect the glomerulus?
Cortical radiate artery –> affererent arteriole –> efferent arteriole
What is the second capillary bed?
peritubular capillaries
Describe characteristics of the peritubular capillaries
low pressure, porous, and adapted for absorption rather than filtration
What are the processes that form urine?
- Glomerular Filtration
- Tubular Reabsorption
3.Tubular Secretion
Name the common nitro wastes & their formations
Urea - formed by liver as end product in protein breakdown
Uric acid - when nucleic acids are metabolised
Creatinine - creatine metabolism in muscle tissue
How does a decrease in blood pressure affect the glomerular pressure?
Decreases glomerular pressure
What are the functions of the renal tubule?
Renal tubules carries out tubular reabsorption & secretion.
What is the function of the peritubular capillaries?
Peritubular capillaries receive fluid, nutrients and needed ions to be returned to general circulation.
In the nephron loop, when we descend….
there is an absorption of water
In the nephron loop, when we ascend….
there is reabsorption of salts
Where is urine made
In the cortex and then follows pyramids (tubules), papillary, minor calyx, major calyx and renal pelvis - ureter
What is the function of the glomerulus?
The movement of water and solutes from the glomerulus into Bowman’s capsule. (filters out the large particles of protein)
What factor primarily influences the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?
A. The concentration of potassium ions in the blood.
B. The hydrostatic pressure in the glomerular capillaries.
C. The osmotic pressure in the Bowman’s capsule.
D. The length of the loop of Henle.
The hydrostatic pressure in the glomerular capillaries.
In which part of the nephron does most reabsorption of solutes and water occur?
Proximal convoluted tubule
How do the kidneys respond to respiratory acidosis?
By increasing the reabsorption of bicarbonate.
What structure is found in the renal medulla
Loop of Henle
What structure is found in the renal cortex
Everything except the loop of henle
What is the purpose of the cortex?
To filtrate the blood
What does the loop of Henle absorb or secrete?
Releases water and absorbs Na and Cl
What does the distal convoluted tubule reabsorb
Aldosterone is present, Na reabsorption increases and the filtrate becomes more dilute - K and H are exchanged for the Na
What hormone increase reabsorption of Na+ in kidneys?
Aldosterone
When we increase ADH,
we increase the reabsorption of water
