Urinary System

Question 1

Organs of the urinary system?

Answer 1

Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra

Question 2

Location of kidneys?

Answer 2

Reteroperitoneally lateral to T12-L3 (right kidney lies inferiorly)

Question 3

Function of urinary system?

Answer 3

Regulation of blood volume and pressure
Regulation of the bloods inorganic ion balance
Acid-base balance through changes in the rates of H+ and NH3 secretion
Regulation of erythrocyte production via erythropoietin

Question 4

Protective coverings from deep to supercifical

Answer 4

Fibrous (renal) capsule, Perirenal fat (adipose) capsule, Renal fascia, Pararenal fat capsule

Question 5

Are the kidneys attached to any ligaments?

Answer 5

No, held by pararenal fat capsule

Question 6

Anterior to posterior arrangement of renal vein, renal artery and ureter

Answer 6

VAU

Question 7

Renal sinus contains?

Answer 7

Minor/major calices, renal pelvis, renal blood vessels and nerves, part of the adipose capsule

Question 8

Access to renal sinus?

Answer 8

Renal hilum

Question 9

Flow of blood through the kidneys?

Answer 9

Really Smart Instructor At Class

Renal artery –> Segmental artery –> Interlobar artery (between renal pyramids) –> Arcuate artery –> Cortical radiate (interlobar) artery –> Cortical radiate vein –> Arcuate vein –> Interlobar vein –> Renal vein

1/4 of systemic output reaches kidneys via renal artery

Question 10

What are nephrons?

Answer 10

The main structural and functional unit of the kidney. Lined with simple epithelium

Question 11

Three major renal processes?

Answer 11

Glomerular filtration - filtrate of blood leaves kidney capillaries
Tubular resorption - most nutrients, water and essential ions reclaimed
Tubular secretion - active process of removing undesirable moleucles

Question 12

2 parts of the renal corpuscle?

Answer 12

Glomerulus - tuft of capillaries (inner) that are fenestrated (with pores) to allow fluid and small molecules to enter capsular space
Glomerular/Bowmans capsule

Question 13

Function of the renal corpuscle?

Answer 13

Produces a filtrate of blood (20% fluid leave glomerulus, 80% remains in blood)

Question 14

Processes that occur in Bowmans capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, distal convoluted tubule, loop of henle and collecting duct

Answer 14

Bowmans capsule - filtration
Proximal convoluted tubule - reabsorption of ions, nutrients, proteins, vitamins and minerals
Distal convoluted tubule - secretion of ions and reabsorption of water
Loop of henle - reabsorption of ions and water
Collecting duct

Question 15

2 types of nephrons and their differences?

Answer 15

Cortical nephrons - 85% of nephrons, short loop, glomerulus further from the cortex-medulla junction, efferent arteriole supplies peritubular capillaries

Juxtamedullary nephrons - 15% of nephrons, long loop, efferent arteriole supplies vasa recta

Question 16

Layers of the ureters from innermost to outermost and theur functions?

Answer 16

Mucosa - Transitional epithelium stretchy to the passage of urine; Bundles of primarily smooth muscle fibres surround the mucosa and help propel urine to the outside of the body

Muscularis - 2 smooth muscle layers, inner longitudinal and outer circular; Peristaltic waves to propel the urine to the bladder

Adventitia - Areolar connective tissue which anchors the ureter to the posterior abdominal

Question 17

Structure of the ureters?

Answer 17

25-30cm fibromuscular tubes
Paired, retroperitoneal
Obliques (angled) entry into bladder prevents urine backflow
Transports urine via peristaltic contraction of smooth muscle

Question 18

Structure of the urinary bladder?

Answer 18

Retroperitoneal

Receives blood by branches of the internal iliac arteries

Question 19

3 layers of the urinary bladder?

Answer 19

Mucosa - transitional epithelium with rugae
Thick muscular layer (detrusor) - smooth muscle to squeese urine from bladder during urination
Fibrous adventitia - outermost layer

Question 20

Micturition innervation?

Answer 20

Parasympathetic axons (pelvis splanchnic nerves) - S2-S4 stimulate urination

Sympathetic axons - T11-L2 inhibit innervation

Question 21

What is the trigone?

Answer 21

Smooth triangular region formed by the two ureteral openings and the internal urethral orifice

Question 22

Differences between male and female urethras?

Answer 22

Female 3-5cm long for urine

Male 18-20cm long for urine and semen

Question 23

Components of the male urethra?

Answer 23

Prostatic urethra
Membranous urethra (intermediate part)
Spongy urethra