Urinary Tract Flashcards
What are the three main areas of the kidney
Cortex
Medulla
Pelvis
What is found in the renal cortex
Glomeruli
Proximal convoluted tubule
Distal convoluted tubules
What is a medullary ray
Found in renal cortex
Collection of loop of Henles and collecting ducts on the outside of the cortex
Describe renal medulla
No glomeruli
Describe the glomerulus
Tuft of convoluted fenestrated capillaries
Glomerular basement membrane
Lined by podocytes
Supported by mesangial cells
Encased in Bowman’s capsule
Describe the role of mesangial cells
Smooth muscle
Structural support
Contraction reduces GFR
Chemical changes feedback
Describe the juxtaglomerular apparatus
- afferent arteriole
- distal convoluted tubule
Afferent arteriole contributes granular cells
Secrete renin in response to low blood pressure
Describe the proximal convoluted tubule
Cubodial epithelium
Round central/basal nuclei
Brush border of microvilli at apical end
Many mitochondria so appears eosinophilic
Reabsorption of NaCl, proteins, polypeptides, amino acids, glucose
Describe urothelium
Multi layered stratified
Stretch in 3D
Volume of cell stays the same but thickness and area differs
Found in the collection/drainage parts of the urinary tract
Layer of umbrella cells (makes it urine proof) overlies a pseudostratified layer of polygonal cells
What are the layers of the bladder
Urothelium
Lamina propria
Muscularis mucosa
Submucosa
Muscularis propria
Subserosa and serosa
What part of the urinary tract differs in males and females
Urethra
Describe the female urethra
4-5cm
Proximally transitional epithelium
Distally squamous epithelium
Paraurethral and periurethral glands open into the urethra
Describe the male urethra
- prostatic urethra - urothelium
- Membranous urethra - urothelium
- Penile urethra - pseudostratified epithelium proximally. Stratified squamous epithelium distally
