Urinary System I Flashcards
kidneys location
- retroperitoneal
- either side of vertebral column along posterior abdominal wall
kidney function
- clears blood of waste products, toxins, etc
- regulates concentration of substances in body (water, salt)
- produces erythropoietin
- produces renin (influences BP)
kidney: erythropoietin function
-affects RBC production
kidney hilum**
- indentation on medial side
- renal vessels enter and leave
- ureter leaves kidney
kidney coverings: renal capsule
- outermost
- CT
kidney coverings: perirenal fat
-adipose (fat)
kidney coverings: renal fascia
-CT which anchors kidney in place
kidney: renal cortex
- outermost region
- location of most of the glomeruli
kidney: renal medulla
- innermost region
- contains primarily tubules and blood vessels
kidney: major and minor calyces
-funnel-shaped chambers which receive urine produced by the nephron
kidney: renal pelvis**
- located at hilum, not pelvis*
- dilated, uppermost portion of the ureter
is the kidney vascular or avascular?
-vascular
blood supply pathway
renal artery–>afferent arterioles–> glomerulus–>efferent arterioles–>peritubular capillaries–>venules–>renal vein
nephron function
-formation of urine
nephron location
-medulla
nephron composition
- specialized renal tubule
- consists of a glomerulus & peritubular capillary
kidney: glomerulus location
- vascularized portion
- specialized network of capillaries
- located in renal cortex btwn afferent & efferent arterioles
kidney: glomerulus structure
- fenestrated epithelium
- spaces btwn cells for capillaries
kidney: peritubular capillaries composition
- vascularized portion
- branches of efferent arteriole
- empty into kidney’s venous system
kidney: peritubular capillaries function
-site of reabsorption of water and other substances
kidney: bowman’s capsule composition
- double-walled, cup-shaped portion of kidney tubule
- surrounds glomerulus
- lined w/ epithelium
kidney: bowman’s capsule structure: podocytes
- specialized cells w/ extensions called foot processes
- surround glomerular capillaries
kidney: bowman’s capsule structure: filtration slits
-small spaces or pores btwn foot processes
kidney: bowman’s capsule structure: filtration barrier components
- fenestrated epithelium
- basement membrane of glomerular capillary
- thin membrane covering filtration silt
urine pathway
glomerular capsule—>proximal convoluted tubule—>loop of henle—>distal convoluted tubule—>collecting duct—>minor calyces—>major calyces—>renal pelvis of ureter—>ureter—>bladder—>urethra
