Structure and anatomy of the urinary system

Question 1

what is the function of the urinary system?

Answer 1

through filtration and selective reabsorption, precise control of concentration of key substances in the ECF

Question 2

what are examples of substances requiring control in the urinary system?

Answer 2

ions, small organic molecules and water

Question 3

what does this process maintain?

Answer 3

a stable internal environment

Question 4

what must the kidney do? (functions)

Answer 4

1. control volume
2. control osmolarity
3. help to control pH
4. excrete some waste products

Question 5

how does the kidney control these functions?

Answer 5

filtering a large amount of ECF, each litre of ECF is filtered over 10 times a day - nearly all is recovered (>99%)

Question 6

where are the kidneys located?

Answer 6

the kidneys are retroperitoneal organs that sit either side of the spine in the abdominal cavity

Question 7

roughly which level are the kidneys located?

Answer 7

T12-L3

Question 8

which kidney sits lower? why?

Answer 8

right kidney sits lower, because of the position of the liver

Question 9

when do kidneys have mobility and of how much?

Answer 9

3cm when we breathe due to their proximity to the diaphragm

Question 10

what are the tops of the kidneys protected by?

Answer 10

11th and 12th ribs

Question 11

where does the bladder sit in adults?

Answer 11

right behind the pubic bone

Question 12

where does the bladder sit in child?

Answer 12

above the pubic bone

Question 13

what happens to the bladder as it fills up with urine?

Answer 13

distends upwards

Question 14

where is the prostate situated?

Answer 14

directly below the bladder

Question 15

what passes through the prostate?

Answer 15

the urethra

Question 16

what can happen if the prostate undergoes hypertrophy?

Answer 16

prevent urination

Question 17

where do the ureters arise from?

Answer 17

the renal pelvis on the medial aspect of each kidney

Question 18

where do the ureters descend?

Answer 18

towards the bladder on the front of the psoas major muscle (moving laterally to medially)

Question 19

where do the ureters cross the pelvis brim?

Answer 19

near the bifurcation of the iliac arteries (cross anteriorly over the common iliac)

Question 20

what happens after the ureters cross the iliac arteries?

Answer 20

under the uterine artery / vas deferens and down the pelvic sidewall

Question 21

where do the ureters insert into?

Answer 21

posterior surface of the bladder

Question 22

what are the 3 points that kidney stones are likely to occur?

Answer 22

1. the junction of the renal pelvis and the ureter
2. the point at which ureters cross the brim of the pelvis (iliac bifurcation)
3. where the ureters pass into the wall of the urinary bladder

Question 23

what surrounds the kidney?

Answer 23

fibrous capsule

Question 24

what is the renal cortex?

Answer 24

outer portion of the kidney

Question 25

what does the renal cortex form?

Answer 25

a continuous smooth outer zone with a number of projections

Question 26

what are the projections of the kidney called?

Answer 26

cortical columns

Question 27

where do the cortical columns extend down between?

Answer 27

the pyramids

Question 28

what does the renal cortex contain?

Answer 28

glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule

Question 29

where does ultrafiltration take place?

Answer 29

in the cortex

Question 30

what does the renal cortex also contain?

Answer 30

renal tubules, except for parts of the loop of Henle

Question 31

where does the loop of Henle descend into?

Answer 31

the medulla