Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Science for Paramedics > The renal system > Flashcards

The renal system Flashcards

(76 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Where are the kidneys located?

A

In the retro-peritoneal cavity extending from T12-L3

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Which kidney is slightly higher?

A

The left

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the functional unit of the kidney?

A

The nephron

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the structure of the kidney?

A

8-10 conical renal medullas separated and encased by the renal cortex. All encapsulated by the renal capsule, a protective layer of adipose tissue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the renal calyces?

A

Cup like projections of the renal pelvis that collect urine, sat at the base of the renal medullas.
Grouped into minor and major

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the renal pelvis?

A

A large cavity containing major and minor calyces, blood vessels, nerves and adipose tissue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Which parts of the nephron sit in the renal cortex?

A

The glomerulus, bowmans capsule and convoluted tubes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Which parts of the nephron are in the renal medulla?

A

The loops of Henle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What proportion of cardiac output do the kidneys receive?

A

20-25% (≈1200ml/min in adults)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What blood vessels supply the kidneys?

A

Renal artery
Segmental artery
Interloblar arteries
Arcuate arteries
Interlobular arteries
Afferent arterioles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the vein structure of the kidneys?

A

Interlobular veins
Arcuate veins
Interlobar veins
Segmental veins
Renal vein

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What layers line the glomerulus side of the bowmans capsule?

A

Negatively charged basement membrane
Visceral layer of epithelial podocytes and pedicels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What forms the slit diaphragm of the nephrons?

A

Podocytes linked with nephrin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What forms the renal corpuscle?

A

The glomerulus and the bowmans capsule

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is filtered in the renal corpuscle?

A

Blood plasma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What constitutes the renal tubules?

A

Proximal convoluted tubules
Loop of Henle
Distal convoluted tubules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What constitutes the loop of Henle?

A

Descending and ascending limb

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What’s the difference between cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons?

A

Cortical nephrons have a loop of Henle lying mainly within the cortex
Juxtamedullary nephrons have a loop Henle extending deep into the medulla

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What percentage of nephrons are cortical?

A

80-85%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What blood vessels supply cortical nephrons?

A

Peritubular capillaries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What blood vessels supply juxtamedullary nephrons?

A

The vasa recta

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What are the functions of the kidney?

A

A WET BED

Acid base balance
Water balance
Electrolyte balance
Toxin removal
Blood pressure control
Erythropoietin production
D (Vitamin D synthesis)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How do the kidneys regulate acid base balance?

A

Excreting hydrogen ions (H+) in the urine
Conserving bicarbonate ions (HC03-) in the blood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

How do the kidneys regulate water balance?

A

Separately regulating loss of water and solutes in urine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
How do the kidneys maintain electrolyte balance?
Regulating reabsorption of blood ionic compounds.
26
How do the kidneys excrete waste and foreign substances?
Excreting them in urine
27
How do the kidneys regulate blood pressure?
Excreting renin
28
How do the kidneys contribute to erythropoesis?
Excreting erythropoietin
29
Where is vitamin D metabolised?
Kidneys and the liver
30
What 3 processes lead to the final production of glomerular filtrate?
Glomerular filtration Tubular reabsorption Tubular secretion
31
What three pressures contribute to glomerular filtration?
Glomerular blood hydrostatic pressure Capsular hydrostatic pressure Blood colloid osmotic pressure
32
What is usual glomerulus net filtration pressure?
10mmHg
33
What is glomerular blood hydrostatic pressure?
The blood pressure in the glomerular capillaries ≈ 55mmHg
34
What is capsular hydrostatic pressure?
Pressure exerted by the fluid already in the bowmans capsule and renal tubes back against filtration ≈ 15mmHg
35
What is blood colloid osmotic pressure?
The pressure difference created due to plasma proteins being present in blood ≈30mmHg
36
What is a healthy glomerular filtration rate?
125ml/min
37
Why are substances like amino acids and glucose not usually present in urine?
They are usually completely reabsorbed, unless present in the blood in excessive amounts
38
Which substances are not reabsorbed in the nephrons?
Substances that are not normal blood constituents i.e. waste
39
What is tubular reabsorption?
Transfer of substances from the renal tubules to the peritubular capillaries
40
What is tubular secretion?
Transfer of substances from the peritubular capillaries back to the renal tubes
41
Why may certain materials not be cleared from the blood via glomerular filtration?
Because of the short time blood remains in the glomerulus
42
Is tubular reabsorption a passive or active process?
Passive
43
Is tubular secretion a passive or active process?
Both passive and active
44
What are diuretics?
Substances that cause the kidneys to produce more urine
45
What is diuresis?
Increased or excessive production of urine
46
What is anti diuretic hormone?
A hormone that decreases the production of urine
47
How does anti diuretic hormone work?
It increases the permeability of the distal convoluted tubules and collecting tubules, increasing water reabsorption
48
Where is ADH secreted?
The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland
49
What cells release renin?
The juxtaglomerular cells located in the kidney
50
Where is angiotensin converting enzyme produced?
The lungs
51
What does angiotensin converting enzyme do?
Converts angiotensin 1 to angiotensin 2
52
What does angiotensin 2 do?
It is a generalised vasoconstrictor which increases blood pressure and stimulates the adrenal glands to release aldosterone
53
What does aldosterone do?
Increases sodium and water reabsorption and potassium excretion
54
When is atrial natriuretic peptide released?
In response to stretching of the atrial wall
55
What is the action of atrial natriuretic peptide?
Dilates the afferent arteriole of the glomerulus leading to increased blood flow and filtration. It also suppresses reabsorption of Na+ in the collecting duct and other segments of the nephron
56
Where is calcitonin released?
The thyroid gland
57
When is calcitonin released?
When the calcium levels in the blood rise above a set point
58
What does calcitonin do?
Reduces blood calcium levels in the blood
59
How does calcitonin work?
It inhibits osteoclast activity and decreases calcium re-absorption in the kidneys
60
When is parathyroid hormone released?
When blood calcium levels fall below a set point
61
How does parathyroid hormone work?
Stimulates release of calcium from bone tissue by enhancing osteoblast activity Reduces secretion of calcium in the kidneys Stimulates production of active vitamin D Increases calcium absorption from food in the intestine through its effects on vitamin D metabolism
62
What is the usual length of ureters?
25-30cm
63
What is the usual diameter of ureters?
3mm
64
How is backflow of urine to the kidneys prevented?
When the bladder fills the pressure closes the ureters
65
What is the structure of the walls of the ureter?
An outer layer of fibrous tissue A middle muscular layer consisting interlacing smooth muscle fibres An inner layer of mucosa consisting of transitional epithelium
66
What propels urine through the ureters?
Peristalsis of the smooth muscle along the ureter
67
What is the average bladder capacity of the bladder?
700-800ml
68
What is the structure of the bladder wall?
An outer layer of loose connective tissue containing blood and lymphatic vessels and nerves A middle later consisting of smooth muscle and elastic tissue An inner layer of transitional epithelium
69
What controls the outflow of urine from the bladder?
Internal urethral sphincter
70
What is the structure of the urethra wall?
An inner layer of mucosa with smooth muscle fibres (involuntary control) and an outer layer of striated muscle (voluntary control)
71
What are the specialised epithelial cells that cover the glomerular capillaries called?
Podocytes
72
What are pedicels?
Foot like projections that come off of podocytes
73
What do the distal convoluted tubes drain in to?
Collecting ducts
74
What is the path of renal urine drainage?
Collecting duct Papillary duct Minor calyx Major calyx Renal pelvis Ureter Urinary bladder
75
What percentage of filtered calcium is reabsorbed?
Over 95%
76
Atrial natriuretic peptide affects the reabsorption of which electrolyte?
Na+

Science for Paramedics (18 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions