The Mammalian Kidney: Nephrons + Osmoregulation Flashcards
Kidneys
pair of bean shaped organs located below and behind the liver
- MAJOR OSMOREGULATORY ORGAN
- filter and purify blood
- produces a filtrated called urine
- has THREE regions: renal cortex, medulla, and renal pelvis
Nephron
functional unit of the kidney
- perform filtrations and osmoregulation
- give the renal cortex a granular appearance
- has THREE PARTS: renal corpuscle, renal tubule, associated capillary network
- empties into a collecting duct that transports urine to the bladder
Renal Cortex
outer layer of the kidney interior; contains the NEPHRONS
Medulla
middle layer of the kidney interior; consists of renal pyramids and columns
Renal Pyramids
multiple pyramidal tissue masses
Renal Columns
spaces between the renal pyramids where blood vessels pass
Renal Papillae
tips of the renal pyramids; points toward the renal pelvis
- has a higher concentration of solute than the cortex
Renal Pelvis
inside of the kidney; contains arteries, veins, and nerves that support the kidney
- URETERUS are urine-bearing tubes that exit the kidney and empty into the urinary bladder
Cortical Nephrons
~85% of all nephrons; deep in the renal cortex
Juxtamedullary Nephrons
~15% of all nephrons; in the renal cortex
- play a critical role in helping set up the salt CG of the medulla, which facilitates the reabsorption of water from pre-urine filtrate
Renal Corpuscle
located in the renal cortex, a network of capillaries (glomerulus) + the capsule, a cup shaped chamber that surrounds it (Bowman’s capsule)
Renal Tubule
long + convoluted structure that emerges from the glomerulus and divided into 3 parts:
1. Proximal Convoluted Tubule
2. Loop of Henle
3. Distal Convoluted Tubule
Proximal Convoluted Tubule
stays in the renal cortex, closest to the glomerulus
Loop of Henle
AKA nephritic loop; forms a loop that goes through the renal medulla
Distal Convoluted Tubule
restricted to the renal cortex; the DCT is the last part of the nephron
- connects and empties its contents into collecting ducts that line the medullary pyramids
Capillary Network
originates from the renal arteries and supplies the nephron the blood that needs to be filtered; network that surrounds the proximal + distal convoluted tubules
- Afferent Arteriole
- Efferent Arteriole
- Glomerular Capillary Bed
- Peritubular Capillary Network
Capillary Network: Afferent Arteriole
enters the glomerulus
Capillary Network: Efferent Arteriole
exists the glomerulus
Capillary Network: Glomerular Capillary Bed
the capillary network within the glomerulus
Capillary Network: Peritubular Capillary Network
formed by the efferent arteriole, which surrounds parts of the renal tubule
Vasa Recta
name for the network around the Loop of Henle in juxtamedullary nephrons
Collecting Ducts
amass contents from multiple nephrons and fuse together as they enter the papillae of the renal medulla
Aldosetone
mineralocorticoids synthesized by the adrenal cortex thar regulates sodium levels in blood
- causes almost all sodium in blood is reclaimed by the renal tubules
- affects water levels in body fluids
- stimulates potassium secretion concurrently with sodium reabsorption
- absence of this means NO sodium is reabsorbed and is all excreted; potassium is not secreted
- OREVENTS SODIUM AND WATER LOSS
Antidiuretic Hormones (ADH)
AKA vasopressin; helps the body converse water when body fluid volume (blood) is low
- formed by the hypothalamus
- stored/released from the posterior pituitary
- PREVENTS WATER LOSS
- insets aquaporins in the collecting ducts and promotes water reabsorption
