Biology Chapter 26 Urinary System Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What are the functions of the urinary system? (Select all that apply)

Regulating plasma concentrations of ions (correct)

Regulating blood volume and pressure (correct)

Synthesizing testosterone

Eliminating organic wastes (correct)

Which of these structures are part of the urinary system? (Select all that apply)

Heart

Lungs

Pair of kidneys (correct)

Urinary bladder (correct)

What is urine?

A fluid waste product containing water, ions, and soluble compounds.

What is urination?

Urine is forced out of the body from the urinary bladder through the urethra. Signup and view all the answers

What maintains the position of the kidneys in the abdominal cavity? (Select all that apply)

Supportive connective tissues Signup and view all the answers

What are the three concentric layers of connective tissue in the kidneys?

Renal capsule, adipose capsule, renal fascia. Signup and view all the answers

What is the renal capsule?

A fibrous layer that covers the outer surface of the kidney. Signup and view all the answers

What surrounds the renal capsule?

Adipose capsule (perinephric fat). Signup and view all the answers

What is the renal fascia?

A layer that anchors the kidneys to surrounding structures. Signup and view all the answers

Where are the ureter and renal blood vessels attached?

The hilus of the kidney. Signup and view all the answers

What is the renal sinus?

A cavity within the kidney where blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics, and ureters pass. Signup and view all the answers

What are the divisions of the interior of the kidney?

Outer renal cortex, central renal medulla, inner renal sinus. Signup and view all the answers

What does the renal medulla contain?

6-18 renal pyramids, whose tips (renal papillae) project into the renal sinus. Signup and view all the answers

What are renal papillae?

The tips of the renal pyramids. 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?

Renal lobe. Signup and view all the answers

What are minor calyces?

Structures that receive urine from the collecting tubules of the renal pyramids and convey it to the major calyces. Signup and view all the answers

What do major calyces do?

Receive urine from the minor calyces to convey to the renal pelvis. Signup and view all the answers

The minor and major calyces lead into what structure?

The renal sinus, which is continuous with the ureter. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ureter?

A tube that carries urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder. Signup and view all the answers

What does the vasculature of the kidneys include? (Select all that apply)

Interlobar artery Signup and view all the answers

From the nephrons, blood flows into which veins? (Select all that apply)

Arcuate vein Signup and view all the answers

What innervates the kidneys and ureters?

Renal nerves. Signup and view all the answers

What are renal nerves?

Part of the sympathetic autonomic nervous system that causes vasoconstriction/dilation to regulate blood flow. Signup and view all the answers

What does sympathetic activation regulate in the kidneys?

Glomerular blood flow and pressure, stimulates renin release, and accelerates sodium ion and water reabsorption. Signup and view all the answers

What is a nephron?

The basic functional unit of the kidney. Signup and view all the answers

What is the renal tubule?

The long, tubular portion of a nephron that produces and takes urine to the renal pelvis of a kidney. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to tubular fluid from the renal corpuscle?

It travels through the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), the loop of Henle, and the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) before reaching the renal minor calyx. Signup and view all the answers

What is the renal corpuscle?

A cup-shaped chamber that contains glomeruli. 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.

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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.