Histo of renal system Flashcards
(43 cards)
Kidney Structure (stillborn kidney)
The kidney of a stillborn child consists of distinct regions, including the cortex and medulla.
Papilla and Drainage
The papilla in the kidney projects towards the central pelvicalyceal space and eventually drains into the ureter, which exits the kidney at the hilum.
Cortex
The cortex is darker stained and contains numerous tiny spheroidal structures, which are the developing renal corpuscles.
Medulla
The medulla of the kidney is paler-stained in comparison to the cortex.
Medullary pyramids
The medullary pyramids within the kidney consist of several tubules that converge towards the tip of the renal papillae.
Fibrous Capsule and Renal Sinus
The fibrous capsule of the kidney is continuous with fatty tissue at the hilum, which packs into the renal sinus.
Functional unit of the kidney
The nephron is the fundamental functional unit of the kidneys, responsible for filtering and processing blood to form urine
Components of Nephron
A nephron consists of two main parts: the renal corpuscle, where the initial filtration of blood occurs, and the renal tubule, where the filtered fluid is further processed and carried away.
Renal Corpuscle
The renal corpuscle is the part of the nephron where the initial filtration of blood takes place, separating waste and excess substances from the bloodstream.
Renal tubule
The renal tubule is the portion of the nephron where the filtered fluid from the renal corpuscle is processed, and valuable substances are reabsorbed while additional waste products are secreted.
Components of renal corpuscle
The renal corpuscle consists of two main components: the glomerular capsule (Bowman’s capsule) and the glomerulus.
Explain the glomerular capsule
he glomerular capsule is a single layer of flattened cells resting on the basement membrane, derived from the distal blind end of the renal tubule.
Describe the glomerulus
The glomerulus is a network of anastomosing capillaries located within the renal corpuscle. It plays a crucial role in the filtration of blood.
Capillary loops and podocytes
The capillary loops of the glomerulus are invested in the visceral layer of the glomerular capsule, which contains highly specialized epithelial cells called podocytes.
Visceral and parietal layers of the glomerular capsule
the visceral layer of the glomerular capsule is reflected around the vascular stalk of the glomerulus to become continuous with the parietal layer.
Bowman’s space
A space exists between the two layers of the glomerular capsule, known as Bowman’s space, and it is continuous with the lumen of the renal tubule.
Glomerular filtration barrier
The glomerular filtration barrier is the filtration barrier between the capillary lumen and the space within the glomerular capsule. It consists of the capillary endothelium, the podocyte layer, and the common basement membrane (glomerular basement membrane).
Vascular and urinary poles
The afferent arteriole and efferent arteriole enter and exit the corpuscle at the vascular pole, which is situated opposite to the entrance of the renal tubule (urinary pole).
Renal tubule extends from___________________ and is lined by_______
The renal tubule extends from the glomerular capsule to the junction with the collecting duct and is lined by a single layer of epithelial cells.
Function of the renal tubule
The primary function of the renal tubule is the selective reabsorption of water and inorganic ions from the filtrate.
Zones of the renal tubule (4)
The renal tubule has four distinct zones:
Proximal convoluted tubule - the most convoluted section.
Nephron loop (Loop of Henle) - which dips into the medulla.
Distal convoluted tubule.
Collecting tubule.
Renal cortex is easily identified at low magnification due to__________________________.
It mainly consists of_________________.
The renal cortex is easily identified at low magnification due to the presence of renal corpuscles. It mainly consists of proximal and distal convoluted tubules.
Arcuate arteries and veins demarcate between what?
Arcuate arteries and veins serve as demarcation points between the renal cortex and medulla.
Glomeruli at high magnification
At higher magnification, glomeruli can be identified in the renal cortex, surrounded by the glomerular space. These are important for filtration.