Session 1 - Introduction To The Urinary System Flashcards
Are the kidneys intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal?
Retroperitoneal
At what vertebral levels are the kidneys found?
T11/12 - L2/3
What structure carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder?
Ureter
The bladder empties via what tube?
Urethra
What artery runs from the abdominal aorta to the kidney?
Renal artery
What blood vessel runs from the kidney to the inferior vena cava?
Renal vein
What are the functions of the kidney?
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
Give four endocrine functions of the kidneys.
Production of:
- renin
- erythropoietin
- calcitriol
- prostaglandins
Calcitriol is the active form of what?
Vitamin D
What is the difference between osmolality and osmolarity?
Osmolality - number of osmoles of solute per kilogram of solvent
Osmolarity - number of osmoles of solute per litre of solvent
What is oncotic pressure?
The osmotic pressure exerted by proteins.
Describe the differences generally found between the electrolyte compositions of intracelluar and extracellular fluids.
Intracellular: high K+, low Na+, many large organic anions
Extracellular: low K+, high Na+, main anions Cl- and HCO3-
Which parts of the nephron are found in the cortex?
Glomerulus
Proximal convoluted tubule
Distal convoluted tubule
Start of the collecting duct
Which parts of the nephron are found in the medulla?
Loop of Henle
Collecting duct
What things are able to filter through the glomerulus under normal conditions?
Water
Electrolytes
Small molecules
Which part of the nephron is the major site of reabsorption?
Proximal convoluted tubule
What substances are reabsorbed in the proximal convoluted tubule?
Sodium Water Potassium Bicarbonate Glucose Amino acids
How do reabsorbed substances leave the kidney?
Taken up by peritubular capillaries, carried to the renal vein and then the inferior vena cava.
What are the functions of the loop of Henle?
Reabsorption of salts
Creates a gradient of increasing osmolarity as you move down into the medulla (by counter-current multiplication)
Is the fluid leaving the loop of Henle and entering the distal tubule hypertonic or hypotonic?
Hypotonic
What hormone system controls sodium reabsorption in the distal nephron?
Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
What hormone system controls water reabsorption in the distal nephron?
Anti diuretic hormone - controls permeability of DCT and collecting duct to water.
What are the functions of the distal convoluted tubule?
Variable reabsorption of electrolytes and water
Active secretion of hydrogen ions
