Urinary System I Flashcards
List FOUR functions of the urinary system
- Excretion of unwanted substances
- Production of hormones (erythropoetin & calcitriol)
- Maintenance of water and electrolyte balance
- Regulation of blood glucose levels
Name THREE metabolic wastes containing nitrogen excreted by the urinary system?
Urea
Uric Acid
Creatinine
Name ONE ion excreted by the urinary system
Hydrogen (H+)
State the minimum daily quantity of urine (ml) required to clear body waste
500ml / day
Name THREE electrolytes regulated by the kidneys
Sodium - NA+
Potassium - K+
Hydrogen - H+
Describe specifically how the kidney plays a role in pH balance?
Blood pH must be between 7.35-7.45.
- The lungs excrete CO2
- The kidneys excrete H+ into urine and produce the buffer HCO3 - bicarbonate
Describe the main role of calcitriol in relation to the kidney
Calcitriol - Active form of Vit D. UV light activates a vit D precursor in the skin. The Kidneys convert inactive Vit D into calcitriol. This increases calcium by stimulating calcium + magnesium uptake from the GIT and reducing calcium loss in kidneys.
Describe the main role of erythropoetin in relation to the kidneys
Erythtopoetin - A protein hormone that stimulates erythropoiesis in the red bone marrow. Secreted by kidney interstitial cells into blood. Released in response to hypoxia.
Explain why anaemia is common in renal failure
Kidneys fail to produce erythropoietin, meaning that erythropoiesis production drops. Can be measured on a blood test (EPO test)
State the normal renal threshold for glucose in mmol/L
9 mmol/L
Describe specifically how the kidney compensates for ‘low blood glucose’
The kidneys are able to make glucose from the amino acid glutamine to help elevate blood sugar levels when hypoglycaemic (gluconeogenesis)
Explain why the right kidney is lower than the left kidney
Because the liver is also on the right side, so the right kidney sits lower, below the liver
With regards to renal anatomy and tissue layers, complete the following table
Table responses
Explain what is meant by the hilum?
On the concave kidney border. The region where blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves and ureters enter and exit the kidney
State the & cardiac output received by the kidney
20-25%. 1.2l per minute despite being only 0.5% of bodyweight
Name the location into which urine drains from the nephrons
The minor and major calyces of the renal medulla
State which of the following components are in the ‘renal tubule’ or ‘renal corpuscule’
a. Loop of Henle
b. Distal convoluted tubule
c. Bowmans capsule
d. Proximal convoluted tubule
e. Glomerulus
TUBULE
a. Loop of Henle
b. Distal convoluted tubule
d. Proximal convoluted tubule
CORPUSCULE
c. Bowmans capsule
e. Glomerulus
Name the specific location in a nephron where anti-diuretic hormone acts.
ADH acts on the distal convoluted tubule to reabsorb water
Explain how urine is transported from the renal pelvis to the urinary bladder
The two ureters transport urine from the renal pelvis to the urinary bladder. Each ureter is about 25-30cm long and is retroperitoneal
Describe the role of the muscularis in the ureter
Consists of smooth muscle fibres which produces peristaltic contractions.
State the volume of urine (ml) which when exceeded triggers a desire to urinate.
200ml
Name the small triangular area located on the posterior floor of the bladder
The trigone
Name the specific location of the ‘detrusor muscle’
In the bladder. At the urethral opening.
List two differences between the female and male uretehras
Male’s is longer at 20mm. Womens is 4mm. The males passes through the prostate.
List THREE processes involved in urine formation
- Glomerular filtration
2 Tubular reabsorption
3 Tubular secretion
Describe specifically how the glomerulus is adapted for filtration
- The diameter of the efferent arteriole is less than the afferent arteriole.
- Glomerular capillaries are 50x more leaky than normal capillaries.
Name FOUR blood constituents that pass into glomerular filtrate
Hormones
Urea
Toxins
Uric Acid
Name TWO blood constituents that remain in glomerular capillaries
Leukocytes
Erythrocytes
Platelets
Plasma Proteins