Structure & Function Flashcards
Where are the kidneys found?
Retroperitoneal
L = T12 – L3
R = T12/L1 – L3/4
Each about 150g
What is the functional unit of the kidney?
nephron
What is the blood supply to the kidney?
Renal artery enters the hilar region and splits to form the anterior and posterior branch
What is a nephron made up of?
Glomerulus = tuft of capillaries between an afferent and efferent arteriole
Tubule = starting with bowmans capsule, PCT, LoH, DCT, collecting duct
What is the ureter vs the urethra?
Ureter = smooth muscle, from kidney to bladder
Urethra = bladder to external
Where do the ureters lie?
Tips of transverse process
On top of lumbar lumbora
Ascend down the tips of lumbar processes
Over the edge of the pelvic bowl
Enter the bladder posteriorly
Where do structures enter and leave the kidney?
kidney hilum
ureter, renal artery/vein
What are the layers of the kidney?
Cortex = outer
Medulla = inner, organised in pyramids that contain collecting ducts
Calxys = collect urine
Pelvis = where urine leaves the kidney
Describe the medulla of the kidney
innermost part of the kidney
split up into a number of sections = renal pyramids
What is the cortex off the kidney?
outer portion of the kidney between the renal capsule and the renal medulla
What are renal pyramids?
form the kidney medulla
pyramids appear striped because they are formed by straight parallel segments of nephrons and collecting ducts
Which kidney is lower and why?
Right
Due to liver
What is the bladder?
Bag of smooth muscle that stores urine
Outline the blood supply of the kidney
A = renal artery - abdominal aorta
V = renal vein - IVC
What are the functions of the kidneys?
Regulation = control conc of key subs in ECF
Excretion = excretes waste products
Endocrine = synthesis of renin, erythropoietin, prostaglandins
Metabolism = active form of Vitamin D, catabolism of insulin, PTH calcitonin
How is Vit D linked to the kidneys?
Healthy kidneys are rich with vitamin D receptors
Turns vit D into its active form calcitriol = helps balance CA and phosphorus and regulates PTH
Outline the volume of the body fluid compartments
70kg human = 60% water
42L water = 14L ECF + 28L ICF
14L ECF = 11L interstitial water + 3L plasma (circulating blood volume = 3L plasma + 2L RBC)
What is osmolarity vs osmolality?
Osmolality –is solute per kilogram of solvent
Osmolarity – number of osmoles of solute per litre
What is an osmole?
Measure of the ability to attract water
Proportional to the number of osmotic particles formed in solution