Anatomy of the Kidneys

Questions and Answers

Above the diaphragm and near the liver

Below the pancreas and near the spleen

Near the stomach and small intestine

On the sides of the vertebral column and below the diaphragm (correct)

A type of nephron

A tissue that surrounds the kidney (correct)

A blood vessel that supplies the kidney

A type of Bowman's capsule

A point of entry and exit for blood vessels and ureter (correct)

To filter blood

To regulate blood pressure

To produce urine

Renal cortex Signup and view all the answers

To filter blood and produce urine Signup and view all the answers

A network of capillaries Signup and view all the answers

A U-shaped part of the renal tubule Signup and view all the answers

The last part of the renal tubule Signup and view all the answers

Two Signup and view all the answers

To collect urine from many nephrons Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Human kidneys are located below the diaphragm, on either side of the vertebral column in the abdominal cavity.
The right kidney is slightly smaller and positioned lower than the left kidney.
Kidneys are dark brown, bean-shaped organs, featuring both a concave and a convex side.
The concave side faces the vertebral column, with a notable area called the hilus where the renal artery enters and the renal vein and ureter exit.
Each kidney is encased in a protective tissue known as the renal capsule.

A longitudinal section reveals two distinct regions: the renal cortex (outer region) and the renal medulla (inner region).
The renal medulla contains cone-shaped structures known as renal pyramids, with their bases facing the cortex and tips leading to a cavity called the renal pelvis.
The renal pelvis is a funnel-like structure that extends to form the ureter, connecting to the urinary bladder.

Nephrons serve as the functional units of the kidneys, with each kidney containing over one million nephrons.
Each nephron consists of two main parts: the renal corpuscle and the renal tubule.

Renal Corpuscle: Comprises the glomerulus (a network of capillaries) encased in the Bowman's capsule (cup-shaped structure surrounding the glomerulus).
Renal Tubule: A long tubular structure attached to the Bowman's capsule, divided into three parts:
- Proximal Convoluted Tubule: The first segment, highly convoluted to enhance absorption.
- Loop of Henle: U-shaped section functioning in concentration of urine.
- Distal Convoluted Tubule: The final convoluted part that leads to the collecting duct.
Many distal convoluted tubules from various nephrons converge into a single collecting duct, which facilitates urine transport.