Week 10 - The Urinary System Flashcards
(26 cards)
Q: What are the four main components of the urinary system?
A: Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.
Q: What are the primary functions of the kidneys?
A: Filter blood, regulate ions, remove waste, conserve nutrients, regulate pH and blood pressure, and produce hormones.
Q: Where are the kidneys located?
A: Retroperitoneally, on either side of the vertebral column, protected by ribs and fat.
Q: What are the three layers surrounding the kidney?
A: Fibrous capsule, perinephric fat, and renal fascia.
Q: What is the function of the renal cortex?
A: Filtration and reabsorption of substances from the blood.
Q: What structures are found in the renal medulla?
A: Renal pyramids and renal columns.
Q: What is the role of the renal pelvis?
A: Collects urine and funnels it into the ureter.
Q: What is the function of the ureters?
A: Transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder using peristalsis.
Q: What epithelium lines the ureters and bladder?
A: Transitional epithelium.
Q: What are the two sphincters involved in urination?
A: Internal (involuntary) and external (voluntary) urethral sphincters.
Q: What is the difference in urethra length between males and females?
A: Males: 20–25 cm, Females: ~4 cm.
Q: What triggers the micturition reflex?
A: Stretch receptors in the bladder wall when it’s about 200 mL full.
Q: Which muscle contracts involuntarily during urination?
A: The detrusor muscle.
Q: At what age does voluntary control of urination develop?
A: Around 2-3 years old.
Q: What are the two types of nephrons?
A: Cortical nephrons and juxtamedullary nephrons.
Q: What are the components of the renal corpuscle?
A: Glomerulus and Bowman’s (glomerular) capsule.
Q: What is the role of podocytes in the nephron?
A: Form filtration slits that prevent medium-sized proteins from entering the filtrate.
Q: Where does filtration occur in the nephron?
A: In the renal corpuscle.
Q: What happens in the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)?
A: Reabsorption of water, glucose, ions, and nutrients.
Q: What is reabsorbed in the descending and ascending loops of Henle?
A: Descending: water; Ascending: Na+ and Cl−.
Q: What occurs in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT)?
A: Reabsorption and secretion of ions, water, acids, and drugs.
Q: What regulates water reabsorption in the collecting duct?
A: Hydration status (hormonal control).
Q: What are the two main body fluid compartments?
A: Intracellular fluid (ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF).
Q: How is water gained in the body?
A: Through ingestion and metabolic reactions.
