The Kidney and Urinary Tract Flashcards
What drives ultrafiltration?
Blood pressure
What are the kidneys encased in?
Dense fibrous capsule
Where does each lobe of the kidney drain to?
Minor Calyx
What do minor calyces form?
Major Calyx
What do major calyces enter into?
Renal Pelvis
How is the kidney formed embryologically?
It is formed from 10 or so kidney like units
How does fluid move through the ureters?
Peristalsis
Describe the epithelium in the kidneys and state its functions.
Urothelium/Transitional Epithelium
It has three layers of epithelium with the epithelial layer facing the urine having high-resistance tight junctions so you minimise trans-epithelial exchange (so you don’t undo the work of the kidneys).
The pleated borders of the urothelial cells allow extensive unfolding when the bladder fills with urine.
Where is the bladder located?
Below the pelvic peritoneum and it doesn’t usually rise much above the pubic symphysis.
What latin word describes things related to the urinary bladder?
Vesical
How is the urethra different in males compared to females?
The urethra in males is much longer. In females the urethra opens in the vestibule of the vagina (the space between the labia minora)
What is the reflex that leads to contraction of the bladder smooth muscle and relaxation of the bladder’s smooth muscle sphincter?
Sacral Parasympathetic Reflex
If we decide to urinate, it leads to voluntary relaxation via the reduced stimulation of which nerves?
Pudendal Nerve
What surrounds the kidney capsule?
Fascial pouch (renal fascia). Contains peri-renal adipose tissue. This is important in protection against trauma
Where does each kidney lie?
Right kidney (T10 intercostal space) is below the left kidney (T10 rib).
