22. Urinary System Flashcards
(33 cards)
Where is the Urinary System located?
In the abdominopelvic cavity.
What are the 4 parts of the Urinary System?
*Kidneys
*Ureters
*Bladder
*Urethra
Describe the location of the kidneys.
Lies within the retroperitoneum.
Boarded posteriorly by the diaphragm and 12th rib.
Where are the adrenal glands located in relation to the kidneys?
Immediately superior to the upper pole.
Describe the Renal Fascia and its role in the kidneys.
A thin layer of dense connective tissue which anchors the kidneys to the posterior role.
Describe the Adipose Capsule and its role in the kidneys.
A thin layer of fat that provides protection from trauma.
Describe the specific location of the right kidney.
- Housed within the upper right quadrant.
- Boarded superior and laterally to the liver.
- Medially to psoas muscle
- Inferiorly to the ascending colon, descending duodenum
Describe the specific location of the left kidney.
- Lies within the left upper quadrant, boarder
- Superior to stomach and spleen.
- Anteriorly to splenic flexure and jejnum.
- Inferior to descending colon and tail of pancreas.
Macroscopic Anatomy of the Kidney
Renal arteries arise from aorta, perforating the kidneys at the hilus.
Delivering 25% of resting HR blood volume.
- Vasoconstriction + dilation of the afferent and efferent arterioles cause marked changes in filtration
Kidney is innovated by the renal plexus
- sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system
- vasomotor nerves control the blood flow/ renal resistance.
Baroreceptors in renal arteries monitor BP
- communicating with adrenal gland
Renal veins drain into inferior vena cava.
What does the hormones produced by the adrenal gland regulate?
Metabolism, Immune System, Blood pressure, Response to stress
What can dysfunction of the adrenal glands lead to?
Hypertension and metabolic disorders.
What is the nephron often referred to as?
The functional component of the kidney.
What are the main 5 parts the nephron consists of?
*Renal corpuscle
*Proximated convoluted tubule (PCT)
* Loop of Henle
*Distal convoluted tubule (DCT)
*Collecting tubule
What are the primary functions of the nephron?
Production of urine and maintenance of Homeostasis.
What is the Renal corpuscle responsible for?
Responsible for the first stage of urine production.
What structures does the Renal Corpuscle consist of?
Glomerulus and Bowman’s Capsule
What is the Glomerulus?
A capillary network at the end of the afferent arteriole.
(Glomerular filtration is nonspecific. - Water, electrolytes + small molecules pass through the endothelium into the Bowman’s capsule.)
Describe the Bowman’s capsule.
Structure that encapsulates the glomerulus and communicates with the PCT
What does the Proximated Convoluted Tubule role in the loop of Henle?
Absorb essential nutrients and water.
What are the three parts of the loop of Henle?
Descending limb
Thin Ascending limb
Thick Ascending limb
What are the primary functions of the loop of Henle?
- Concentrate urine to allow for water retention.
- Reabsorption of Sodium ions.
What are the functions of the Distal Convoluted Tubule?
Maintain electrolyte homeostasis by:
*Regulating potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium levels.
*Active reabsorption of water molecules for excretion.
What is the role of the Ureters?
To connect the renal pelvis to the bladder.
Why does the Ureter have ‘no anatomical valve’?
Because instead there is a physiological valve like mechanism which prevents urine going back up to the kidney. Due to pressure gradient and oblique angle connection of ureter.
