7. Renal system anatomy and physiology

Question 1

describe the location of the kidneys

Answer 1

Posterior to parietal peritoneum, on the posterior abdominal wall, lateral to spine

Question 2

which side of the kidney is slightly inferior? why?

Answer 2

the R kidney is slightly inferior to the L
Partially because of the presence of the liver on the R side anterior to the kidney

Question 3

describe the renal capsule

Answer 3

connective tissue surrounding each kidney

Question 4

describe adipose tisse, in regards to the kidneys

Answer 4

surrounds the outside of the capsule for protection

Question 5

describe renal fascia

Answer 5

thin layer of connective tissue surrounds the adipose tissue; anchor kidneys to abdominal walls.

Question 6

what does the hilum of the kidney open to?

Answer 6

renal sinus

Question 7

describe renal columns

Answer 7

extensions of cortical tissue into the medulla

Question 8

what is the apex of a renal pyramid called?

Answer 8

renal papilla

Question 9

what are the 4 separate regions of the nephron?

Answer 9

renal corpuscle, proximal convoluted
tubule, loop of Henle, Distal convoluted tubule

Question 10

describe urine flow from the nephron to the ureter

Answer 10

Nephron
Papillary ducts
Minor calyces
Major calyces
Renal pelvis
Ureter

Question 11

what % of total nephrons do the juxtamedullary nephrons make up?

Answer 11

15%

Question 12

what % of total nephrons do the cortical nephrons make up?

Answer 12

85%

Question 13

where is the renal cortex located in a juxtamedullary nephron?

Answer 13

The renal corpuscle is deep in the cortex near the medulla

Question 14

does a juxamedullary or cortical nephron have a shorter loop of henle?

Answer 14

cortical

Question 15

what region of the nephron consists of the glomerulus and the bowman capsule

Answer 15

renal corpuscle

Question 16

function of bowman capsule

Answer 16

Filters the fluid/blood, which then enters the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)

Question 17

describe the visceral layer of the bowman capsule

Answer 17

Constructed of specialised cells called podocytes, which wrap around the glomerular capillaries

Question 18

where does filtrate from the bowman capsule drain to?

Answer 18

filtrate drains to the PCT from the bowman capsule

Question 19

is the DCT or PCT shorter?

Answer 19

DCT

Question 20

histology of PCT

Answer 20

simple cuboidal epithelium with many microvilli

Question 21

what is actively reabsorbed in the PCT

Answer 21

Active reabsorption of Na, K, Cl

Question 22

what is the difference in structure between the thick and thin parts of the loop of Henle?

Answer 22

Thick parts - simple cuboidal epithelium
Thin parts - simple squamous epithelium

Question 23

why is there smooth muscle in the renal system?

Answer 23

so that urine can be pushed through to the urter from the renal pelvis to the kidneys via peristalsis

Question 24

how does the ureter enter the bladder?

Answer 24

obliquely through trigone.

Question 25

histology of ureter

Answer 25

transitional epithelium

Question 26

what prevents urinary leakage?

Answer 26

internal urinary sphincter composed of Elastic connective tissue and smooth muscle

Question 27

how can we voluntarily start and stop urine flow?

Answer 27

External urinary sphincter Skeletal muscle surrounds urethra as it extends through the pelvic floor

Question 28

what are the two main functions of the renal system?

Answer 28

excretion regulation of BV and BP

Question 29

what does urine excrete?

Answer 29

Metabolic wastes and toxic molecules

Question 30

what is renal fraction?

Answer 30

the proportion of total cardiac output that passes through the kidneys

Question 31

what is glomeruli filtration rate?

Answer 31

amount of filtrate produced each minute

Question 32

how is the filtration membrane specialised for filtration?

Answer 32

Specialised for filtration due to its fenestrate, basement membrane and filtration slits.

Question 33

what does filtrate consist of?

Answer 33

water, glucose, fructose, amino acids, urea, urate, ions, creatine, NA, K, Ca, Cl

Question 34

what is renin important for, and what cell secretes it?

Answer 34

important in the regulation of filtrate formation and BP regulation A group of specialised cells at a section of the DCT - Called the macula densa

Question 35

describe tubular reabsorption

Answer 35

the return of water, small molecules and ions back into the blood

Question 36

describe the movement of reabsorbed contents from the renal tubule

Answer 36

substances are reabsorbed across the renal tubule into the interstitial fluid, then from here into the peritubular capillaries, then back into circulation

Question 37

what is the DCT and CT mostly under control of?

Answer 37

Mostly under control of anti-diuretic hormone

Question 38

ADH function

Answer 38

makes the tubule wall more permeable to water - more reabsorption in the presence of ADH, therefore less and more concentrated urine.

Question 39

describe tubular secretion where does it occur?

Answer 39

The movement of non-filtered substances, toxic by-products of metabolism, drugs or molecules not normally produced by the body, into the nephron for excretion. Occurs mainly in the DCT

Question 40

what is micturition?

Answer 40

elimination on urine from bladder

Question 41

In the kidney what cell membrane transport mechanism is used to move glucose across the basal surface of a renal tubule cell and back into the blood (via interstitial space)?

Answer 41

facilitated diffusion