The structure and function of the mammalian kidney Flashcards
roles of the kidney
involved in
- osmoregulation
- excretion
how are kidneys supplied with blood?
supplied with blood by renal arteries that branch off from abdominal aorta.
blood is removed via the renal vein that drains into the inferior vena cava.
what happens to urine after the kidney
passes out of the kidney down ureters and is collected in the bladder.
when the bladder is getting full, the urine passes out the body down the urethra.
three main areas of the kidney
cortex
medulla
pelvis
cortex
dark outer layer
where filtering of blood takes place
dense capillary network carrying blood from renal artery to nephrons
what does cortex contain
bowman’s capsule
glomerulus
proximal convoluted tubule
distal convoluted tubule
medulla
lighter in colour
contains tubules of nephrons that form pyramids of the kidney and collecting ducts
pelvis
central chamber
urine collects here before passing out down ureter
pyramids
contain nephrons
nephrons do ultrafiltration and osmoregulation
what do nephrons do
filter blood
remove nitrogenous wastes
balance mineral ions and water
bowman’s capsule
cup shaped structure
contain glomerulus (tangle of capillaries)
proximal convoluted tubule
first coiled region
found in cortex of the kidney
where reabsorption takes place
loop of henle
long loop of tubule
creates region with very high solute concentration in the tissue fluid deep in the kidney medulla
descending loop and ascending loop
distal convoluted tubule
second twisted tubule
fine tuning of water balance takes place
permeability of walls to water depends on ADH
further regulation of ions and pH
collecting duct
urine passes down collecting duct through medulla to pelvis
more fine tuning of water balance
walls also sensitive to ADH
