Unit 1 Lecture Flashcards
What organs does the renal system include?
Kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
Kidney
The organ that filters and removes unwanted waste from the body through the production of urine.
Retroperitoneum
The location of the kidneys on both sides of the spine with the right kidney being slightly lower due to the liver.
Primary functions of the kidney
Maintains water balance, acid-base balance, electrolyte balance, eliminates toxins, and hormone production by means of filtering the blood.
Two distinct parts of the kidney
Cortex (outer) and Medulla (inner)
Characteristics of the Cortex
Richly vascular, 90% of total renal circulation, and aids in plasma filtration.
Characteristic of the Medulla
Between 8 and 18 pyramid shaped tissues each with dense network of nephrons.
Renal Papilla
Part of the renal pyramids that points inward.
Calyces
A cavity that the renal papilla points in towards. 3 major, 12 minor.
Major Calyces
Collection of formed urine and transport to renal pelvis.
Ureter
Transports urine from kidney to bladder by means of peristalsis and gravity.
Bladder
“holding tank” for urine. 150 mL of urine will give you the sensation of needing to urinate.
Micturition
The sensation of needing to urinate.
Ultrafiltration of plasma occurs in the glomeruli which are located in which part of the kidney?
(a) Cortex
(b) Medulla
(c) Pelvis
(d) Ureter
(a) Cortex; where the majority of blood filtration takes place.
All the following are considered functions of the renal system except:
(a) Homeostasis
(b) Temperature Balance
(c) Eliminates toxins
(d) Hormone production
(b) Temperature Balance
Nephron
Responsible for the filtration and purification of blood. 1.3 million nephrons are present in the cortex of the kidney. Considered “the functional unit of the kidney”.
Five important structures of the nephron.
(1) Glomerulus
(2) Proximal Convoluted Tubule
(3) Loop of Henle
(4) Distal Convoluted Tubule
(5) Collecting Duct
Two types of nephrons
Cortical and Juxtamedullary
Characteristics of a cortical nephron
Makes up 85% of nephrons; shorter loop of Henle; stays within cortex.
Characteristics of a Juxtamedullary nephron
Longer loop of Henle allowing it to extend to the inner portion of the kidney.
Function of the Nephron
Determines how concentrated or diluted the urine is.
Glomerulus
The first part of the plasma filtration process. (Rate: 125 mL/min)
Bowman’s Capsule
Tuft made up of 8 capillaries which are embedded in a double-walled epithelium.
Bowman’s Space
Between the two layers of epithelium within the Bowman’s Capsule contains a space. This space is where the plasma ultrafiltrate will collect.
What is the double-walled endothelium made up of?
(1) Capillary endothelium cells with small slits or pores present
(2) Basement membrane
What is the benefit of endothelium cells?
The are porous, which allows only small to moderate molecules to pass through (i.e., water, sodium ion, glucose)
What is the basement membrane made up of?
(1) Lamina rara interna
(2) Lamina densa
(3) Lamina rara externa
Shield of negativity
Repels mole