The Renal System

Question 1

What is homeostasis?

Answer 1

Homeostasis is the maintenance of the body’s internal environment.

Question 2

What are the functions of homeostasis?

Answer 2

Functions:
* Blood pH and pressure control
* Fluid and electrolyte balance
* Removal of waste products and drugs
* Stimulates red blood cell production
* Required for absorption of calcium.
*Produces waste as urine to be passed out of the body through urinary tract.

Question 3

What are the four major structures does the urinary tract contain?

Answer 3

Kidneys (x2)
Ureter (x2)
Bladder
Urethra

Question 4

Where is the kidney?

Answer 4

The right + left kidney is in the retroperitoneum
Kidneys move with inspiration and expiration.

Question 5

What protects the kidney?

Answer 5

Their position - retrioperitoneal (posterior to other abdominal organs)

Vertebral Column (transverse processes)

Ribs 11 and 12

Skeletal Muscles
* Muscles of the back
* Muscles of the anterolateral abdominal wall
* Muscles of the posterior abdominal wall

Fat, fascia and capsule of kidney

Question 6

What does the renal hilum consist of?

Answer 6

The Renal system consists of the renal artery
Renal vein
Renal Pelvis

Question 7

What does the internal structure of the kidney consist of?

Answer 7

The Kidney consists of a (mainly) outer cortex and an inner medulla.
Renal Papilla
Renal Pyramid
Renal Cortex
Renal Capsule
Renal Medulla
Renal Pelvis
Renal Sinus

Question 8

What does a Nephron consist of?

Answer 8

A Nephron consists of a renal cortex and renal medulla.
The Renal cortex contains:
Renal Corpuscle
Distal convoluted tubule
Proximal convoluted tubule

The renal medulla contains:
Loop of Henle
Collecting duct
Renal Papilla

Question 9

How does urine drain from the kidney?

Answer 9

Nephron collecting ducts drain urine,
Urine goes through minor calyx
Through major calyx
Through renal pelvis
Through ureter
Through bladder

Question 10

What happens to the diameter of urine drainage tubes?

Answer 10

Diameter of urine drainage “tubes” increases until a constriction at the pelviureteric junction.

Question 11

What is the function of the bladder?

Answer 11

It is the storage for urine
Excretes urine during micturition via the urethra
Detrusor (smooth muscle) in its walls contracts during micturition

Question 12

What does the lower urinary tract of males consist of?

Answer 12

Ureter
Internal Urethral Sphincter (involuntary)
Internal Urethral Orifice
External Urethral Sphincter (Voluntary)
Prostatic Urethra
Prostate Gland
Spongy Urethra
External Urethral Orifice

Question 13

What are the characteristics of the female urethra?

Answer 13

The Female Urethra is:
1. Short
2. Distensible (elastic tissue in its walls)
3. Opens into the vestibule

All 3 of the above contribute to:
* Urinary tract infections (UTIs) being more common in females
Females being easier to catheterise

Question 14

What does the lower urinary tract of females consist of?

Answer 14

Uterus
Bladder
Internal Urethral Orifice
Urethra
External Urethra sphincter (voluntary skeletal muscle circularly arranged around urethra)
Anus
Vaginal Orifice
External Orifice (in perineum)

Question 15

How is blood supplied to the kidneys?

Answer 15

The ureter receives multiple arterial branches along its length
Kidney supplied by branches of the abdominal aorta:
* Left and right renal arteries

Question 16

How is the blood drained from the kidneys?

Answer 16

Right Renal Vein - shorter, drains into the inferior vena cava
Left Renal Vein - longer, crosses the aorta and drains into the inferior vena cava

Renal veins drain deoxygenated blood into the inferior vena cava to be returned to the right atrium.