Questions and Answers
What are the functions of the urinary system? (Select all that apply)
Which of these structures are part of the urinary system? (Select all that apply)
What is urine?
A fluid waste product containing water, ions, and soluble compounds.
What is urination?
Signup and view all the answers
What maintains the position of the kidneys in the abdominal cavity? (Select all that apply)
Signup and view all the answers
What are the three concentric layers of connective tissue in the kidneys?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the renal capsule?
Signup and view all the answers
What surrounds the renal capsule?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the renal fascia?
Signup and view all the answers
Where are the ureter and renal blood vessels attached?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the renal sinus?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the divisions of the interior of the kidney?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the renal medulla contain?
Signup and view all the answers
What are renal papillae?
Signup and view all the answers
What structure contains a renal pyramid, the overlying area of renal cortex, and adjacent tissues of the renal columns?
Signup and view all the answers
What are minor calyces?
Signup and view all the answers
What do major calyces do?
Signup and view all the answers
The minor and major calyces lead into what structure?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the ureter?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the vasculature of the kidneys include? (Select all that apply)
Signup and view all the answers
From the nephrons, blood flows into which veins? (Select all that apply)
Signup and view all the answers
What innervates the kidneys and ureters?
Signup and view all the answers
What are renal nerves?
Signup and view all the answers
What does sympathetic activation regulate in the kidneys?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a nephron?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the renal tubule?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens to tubular fluid from the renal corpuscle?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the renal corpuscle?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Functions of the Urinary System
- Regulates plasma concentrations of ions.
- Adjusts blood volume and pressure through water loss and secretion of erythropoietin and renin.
- Stabilizes blood pH.
- Conserves essential nutrients.
- Eliminates organic waste products.
- Synthesizes calcitriol, an active form of vitamin D.
Structures of the Urinary System
- Comprises a pair of kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.
Urine Production
- Formed by the kidneys, urine consists of water, ions, and soluble compounds, acting as a fluid waste product.
Urination (Micturition)
- The process involves expelling urine from the urinary bladder through the urethra.
Kidney Positioning
- The kidneys are supported by:
- Overlying peritoneum.
- Proximity to visceral organs.
- Supporting connective tissues.
Kidney Connective Tissue Layers
- Renal Capsule: A fibrous layer covering the kidney's outer surface.
- Adipose Capsule: Surrounding the renal capsule, composed of a thick layer of perinephric fat.
- Renal Fascia: A layer of collagen fibers that anchor the kidneys to surrounding structures.
Kidney Anatomy
- Hilus: The point where the ureter and renal blood vessels connect to the kidney.
- Renal Sinus: A cavity in the kidney that houses blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics, and the ureter.
Interior Kidney Structure
- Divided into:
- Outer renal cortex.
- Central renal medulla.
- Inner renal sinus.
Renal Medulla
- Contains 6-18 renal pyramids, with tips called renal papillae projecting into the renal sinus.
Renal Structure Features
- Renal Pyramid: Triangular-shaped structures within the renal medulla; approximately 6-18 present in each kidney.
- Renal Lobe: Comprised of a renal pyramid, an area of overlying renal cortex, and adjacent renal column tissue.
Urine Pathway
- Minor Calyces: Collect urine from collecting tubules and direct it to major calyces.
- Major Calyces: Receive urine from minor calyces and transport it to the renal pelvis.
- Both calyces lead into the renal sinus, transitioning to the ureter.
Ureter
- A tubular structure that transports urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder.
Renal Arterial System
- Composed of various arteries: renal, segmental, interlobar, arcuate, and interlobular (cortical radiate arteries), which supply nephron afferent arterioles.
Blood Flow from Nephrons
- Blood exits nephron structures via interlobular veins, arcuate veins, interlobar veins, and finally the renal vein.
Nervous System Innervation
- The kidneys and ureters are innervated by renal nerves, which are part of the sympathetic autonomic nervous system.
Renal Nerves Functionality
- Responsible for vasoconstriction and dilation to regulate renal blood flow.
Sympathetic Activation Effects
- Influences glomerular blood flow and pressure, prompts renin secretion, and enhances sodium ion and water reabsorption.
Nephron Structure
- The fundamental functional unit of the kidney, pivotal in urine formation.
Renal Tubule Function
- A long, tubular structure of a nephron that conveys tubular fluid from the renal corpuscle to the collecting system.
Tubular Fluid Pathway
- After leaving the renal corpuscle, the fluid travels through the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), loop of Henle (nephron loop), and distal convoluted tubule (DCT), progressing through connecting tubules and collecting ducts to reach the renal minor calyx.
Renal Corpuscle
- The cup-shaped chamber that plays a crucial role in the initial formation of urine, housing glomerular structures.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your understanding of the urinary system with these flashcards covering its functions and key structures. Dive into details about how the system regulates various bodily functions and its importance in maintaining homeostasis.
