Urinary Tract I and II

Question 1

Function of the Kidneys

Answer 1

Filter blood and reabsorb nutrients
Control water, ion, and salt balance of the body
Maintain acid-base balance of the blood (pH)
Excrete metabolic wastes (urea and uric acid), toxins, drug components
Secrete hormones (renin, erythropoietin)
Produce calcitriol (active form of vitamin D)

Question 2

Kidney Development

Answer 2

Pronephros
Mesonephros
Metanephros (definitive adult kidney)
Cranial to caudal direction, then ascends

Question 3

Vasculature

Answer 3

Interlobular arteries -> afferent arteriole -> glomerulus -> efferent arterioles

Medulla relatively avascular (10%)
Cortex is 90% of blood supply

Question 4

Mesangium

Answer 4

Specialized SMC
Cells and matrix
In the middle of the vessels
Contractile (regulate flow and filtration)
Structural support
Phagocytic

Question 5

2 Layers of epithelium

Visceral

Answer 5

Podocytes
Inner layer
Anchored on glomerular basement membrane

Question 6

2 layers of epithelium

Parietal

Answer 6

Outer layer

Line Bowman’s capsule

Question 7

Glomerular filtration barrier

Answer 7

Aka glomerular basement membrane
Basal lamina of glomerular endothelium and podocytes
Permeability to water and small solutes
Charge (-) and size barrier for proteins

Question 8

Nephron

Answer 8

Functional and structural unit

Formation of urine

Question 9

Proximal convoluted tubule

Answer 9

Prominent brush border increases luminal SA
Increases resportive function
HAS MACULA DENSA AND JUXTAGLOMERULAR APPARATUS

Question 10

Juxtaglomerular Apparatus

Answer 10

Specialized structure formed by distal convoluted tubule and glomerular afferent arteriole
Regulates blood pressure and filtration rate of glomerulus
Depends on luminal concentration of Na/Cl