Session 1 - Introduction To The Urinary System

Question 1

Are the kidneys intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal?

Answer 1

Retroperitoneal

Question 2

At what vertebral levels are the kidneys found?

Answer 2

T11/12 - L2/3

Question 3

What structure carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder?

Answer 3

Ureter

Question 4

The bladder empties via what tube?

Answer 4

Urethra

Question 5

What artery runs from the abdominal aorta to the kidney?

Answer 5

Renal artery

Question 6

What blood vessel runs from the kidney to the inferior vena cava?

Answer 6

Renal vein

Question 7

What are the functions of the kidney?

Answer 7

1) Regulation of blood ionic composition
2) Regulation of blood pH
3) Regulation of blood volume
4) Regulation of blood pressure
5) Maintenance of blood osmolality
6) Production of hormones
7) Regulation of blood glucose level
8) Excretion of wastes and foreign substances

Question 8

Give four endocrine functions of the kidneys.

Answer 8

Production of:

• renin
• erythropoietin
• calcitriol
• prostaglandins

Question 9

Calcitriol is the active form of what?

Answer 9

Vitamin D

Question 10

What is the difference between osmolality and osmolarity?

Answer 10

Osmolality - number of osmoles of solute per kilogram of solvent
Osmolarity - number of osmoles of solute per litre of solvent

Question 11

What is oncotic pressure?

Answer 11

The osmotic pressure exerted by proteins.

Question 12

Describe the differences generally found between the electrolyte compositions of intracelluar and extracellular fluids.

Answer 12

Intracellular: high K+, low Na+, many large organic anions
Extracellular: low K+, high Na+, main anions Cl- and HCO3-

Question 13

Which parts of the nephron are found in the cortex?

Answer 13

Glomerulus
Proximal convoluted tubule
Distal convoluted tubule
Start of the collecting duct

Question 14

Which parts of the nephron are found in the medulla?

Answer 14

Loop of Henle

Collecting duct

Question 15

What things are able to filter through the glomerulus under normal conditions?

Answer 15

Water
Electrolytes
Small molecules

Question 16

Which part of the nephron is the major site of reabsorption?

Answer 16

Proximal convoluted tubule

Question 17

What substances are reabsorbed in the proximal convoluted tubule?

Answer 17

Sodium
Water
Potassium 
Bicarbonate 
Glucose 
Amino acids

Question 18

How do reabsorbed substances leave the kidney?

Answer 18

Taken up by peritubular capillaries, carried to the renal vein and then the inferior vena cava.

Question 19

What are the functions of the loop of Henle?

Answer 19

Reabsorption of salts

Creates a gradient of increasing osmolarity as you move down into the medulla (by counter-current multiplication)

Question 20

Is the fluid leaving the loop of Henle and entering the distal tubule hypertonic or hypotonic?

Answer 20

Hypotonic

Question 21

What hormone system controls sodium reabsorption in the distal nephron?

Answer 21

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

Question 22

What hormone system controls water reabsorption in the distal nephron?

Answer 22

Anti diuretic hormone - controls permeability of DCT and collecting duct to water.

Question 23

What are the functions of the distal convoluted tubule?

Answer 23

Variable reabsorption of electrolytes and water

Active secretion of hydrogen ions