Renal Anatomy 2: The Nephron Flashcards

1
Q

This is the microscopic functional unit of the kidney and is responsible for urine formation.

A

Nephron

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2
Q

What are the 2 types of nephrons?

A

Cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons

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3
Q

These nephrons make up most of the nephrons and lie mainly in the cortex.

A

Cortical nephrons

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4
Q

These nephrons extend deep into the medulla. It is important for the formation of concentrated urine.

A

Juxtamedullary nephrons

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5
Q

Each nephron is comprised of what 3 structures?

A

Glomerular capsule, renal tubules (PCT and DCT) and collecting duct

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6
Q

Each nephron is associated with what 2 structures?

A

Glomerulus and peritubular capillaries

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7
Q

These are specialised for filtration. It is fed and drained by arterioles. Blood pressure is also tightly regulated here.

A

Glomerular capillaries

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8
Q

These are specialised for absorption and reabsorption. It receives filtered blood from the glomerular capillaries (via efferent arterioles) and reabsorbed filtrate from the nephron.

A

Peritubular capillaries

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9
Q

These are extensions that follow the nephron loops deep into the medulla. Thee are only found in juxtamedullary nephrons.

A

Vasa recta

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10
Q

This is the term for when a glomerulus is enclosed by a glomerular capsule. It is the site of filtration barrier.

A

Renal corpuscle

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11
Q

Where is the site of the filtration barrier?

A

Renal corpuscle - where nephron and capillary meet

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12
Q

This is the first part of a nephron and is responsible for receiving filtrate.

A

Capsular space

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13
Q

What are the 2 layers of epithelia in the glomerular capsule?

A

Inner visceral layer of podocytes

Outer parietal layer of simple squamous epithelium

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14
Q

This is the specific place in the glomerular capsule that receives the filtrate.

A

Capsular space

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15
Q

These are specialised epithelia that surround the glomerular capillaries.

Additional question:
Its branches form intertwining foot processes known as _________.

A

Podocytes; pedicels

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16
Q

These form in between pedicels and is where filtered blood passes through into the capsular space.

A

Filtration slits

17
Q

This lies between the blood and capsular space. It allows free passage of water and small molecules, but restricts passage of most proteins.

A

Filtration barrier/blood-urine barrier

18
Q

True or false. RBCs are filtered into the nephron.

A

False. They’re proteins - and too big to be filtered into the nephron.

19
Q

What are the 3 layers of the filtration barrier?

A

Fenestrated endothelium of glomerular capillary

Fused basement membrane

Filtration slits

20
Q

What kind of endothelium lines the glomerular capillary?

A

Fenestrated epithelium (simple squamous)

21
Q

This renal tube is responsible for the bulk reabsorption of substances from the nephron. It is surrounded by peritubular capillaries.

A

Proximal convoluted tube

22
Q

The proximal convoluted tube has what kind of epithelium?

A

Cuboidal epithelial cells, but leaky and has microvilli

23
Q

Why does proximal convoluted tube have a lot of mitochondria?

A

Because ATP is needed to carryout lots of reabsorption (active transport)

24
Q

What are the 3 main structures found in the proximal convoluted tube?

A
  • cuboidal epithelium
  • dense microvilli (brushborder enzymes)
  • highly folded basolateral membrane (for high SA)
25
Q

This is surrounded by vasa recta and is responsible for dipping down into the medulla. (absorption and reabsorption of different substances is reflected by changes in epithelium)

A

Nephron loop

26
Q

This renal tube is responsible for fine tuning of reabsorption using hormones like aldosterone. It is made of cuboidal epithelium but has no brush border and has fewer mitochondria.

A

Distal convoluted tube

27
Q

This is where the filtrate from several DCTs drains into.

A

Collecting ducts

28
Q

What are the 2 cells found in the collecting duct? What are their functions?

A

Principal cells - reabsorption

Intercalated cells - acid/base balance

29
Q

The reabsorption at this structure is influenced by both aldosterone and ADH.

A

Collecting duct

30
Q

What kind of epithelium is in the distal convoluted tube?

A

Simple cuboidal epithelium

31
Q

In histology, how do you distinguish between the proximal convoluted tube and the distal convoluted tube?

A

PCT = has a fuzzy lumen (due to microvilli brush border)

DCT = has a clear lumen (because no microvilli)

32
Q

What type of epithelial cells would you find in the nephron loop?

A
  • nephron loop is composed of PCT and DCT

PCT => simple cuboidal epithelia with microvilli brush border & lots of mitochondria
DCT => simple cuboidal with no microvilli brush border & no mitochondria
Ascending and descending limb of nephron loop => simple squamous epithelium