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Questions and Answers
Where is the renal hilum located in the kidney?
Where is the renal hilum located in the kidney?
Which structure sits atop each kidney?
Which structure sits atop each kidney?
What is the function of the fibrous capsule surrounding the kidney?
What is the function of the fibrous capsule surrounding the kidney?
Which region of the kidney is known for being bean-shaped?
Which region of the kidney is known for being bean-shaped?
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What is the role of the peri-renal fat capsule around the kidney?
What is the role of the peri-renal fat capsule around the kidney?
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Which layer of supportive tissue prevents the spread of infections to the kidney?
Which layer of supportive tissue prevents the spread of infections to the kidney?
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What is the main nerve supply to the kidney?
What is the main nerve supply to the kidney?
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Which structure surrounds the glomerulus in the renal corpuscle?
Which structure surrounds the glomerulus in the renal corpuscle?
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What is the function of podocytes in the renal corpuscle?
What is the function of podocytes in the renal corpuscle?
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Which part of the renal corpuscle consists of branching epithelial cells?
Which part of the renal corpuscle consists of branching epithelial cells?
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What is the function of the parietal layer in the glomerular capsule?
What is the function of the parietal layer in the glomerular capsule?
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What does the term 'filtrate' refer to in the context of kidney function?
What does the term 'filtrate' refer to in the context of kidney function?
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What is the primary function of the kidneys in the urinary system?
What is the primary function of the kidneys in the urinary system?
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Which hormone produced by the kidneys regulates blood pressure?
Which hormone produced by the kidneys regulates blood pressure?
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What is the function of the ureters in the urinary system?
What is the function of the ureters in the urinary system?
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Which structure serves as a temporary storage reservoir for urine in the urinary system?
Which structure serves as a temporary storage reservoir for urine in the urinary system?
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What is the main purpose of micturition in the urinary system?
What is the main purpose of micturition in the urinary system?
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Which organ in the urinary system helps in ensuring long-term acid-base balance?
Which organ in the urinary system helps in ensuring long-term acid-base balance?
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Where do the collecting ducts deliver urine through to enter the minor calyces?
Where do the collecting ducts deliver urine through to enter the minor calyces?
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Which cells in the kidney are associated with apical microvilli and mitochondria?
Which cells in the kidney are associated with apical microvilli and mitochondria?
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Where are the thick and thin segments of the ascending limb located in the nephron loop?
Where are the thick and thin segments of the ascending limb located in the nephron loop?
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Which type of nephrons make up almost entirely in the renal cortex?
Which type of nephrons make up almost entirely in the renal cortex?
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What is the major role of juxtamedullary nephrons in the kidney?
What is the major role of juxtamedullary nephrons in the kidney?
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Which structures are associated with two capillary beds in the kidney?
Which structures are associated with two capillary beds in the kidney?
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Where is the proximal convoluted tubule located relative to the renal corpuscle?
Where is the proximal convoluted tubule located relative to the renal corpuscle?
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Which part of the kidney has a highly infolded basolateral membrane?
Which part of the kidney has a highly infolded basolateral membrane?
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What is the main function of the nephron loop (loop of Henle)?
What is the main function of the nephron loop (loop of Henle)?
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Which structure directly drains into the collecting duct?
Which structure directly drains into the collecting duct?
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Where are podocytes found in the kidney?
Where are podocytes found in the kidney?
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What is the location of the basement membrane in the kidney structure?
What is the location of the basement membrane in the kidney structure?
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Study Notes
Location and External Anatomy of the Kidneys
- The kidneys are bean-shaped and retroperitoneal, located in the superior lumbar region between T12 and L5.
- The right kidney is crowded by the liver, so it lies lower than the left.
- The kidneys have a convex lateral surface and a concave medial surface with a vertical renal hilum.
- The renal hilum leads to the internal space called the renal sinus, where the ureters, renal blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves enter and exit.
- The adrenal (suprarenal) gland sits atop each kidney.
- The kidneys are surrounded by three layers of supportive tissue: renal fascia, peri-renal fat capsule, and fibrous capsule.
Internal Anatomy of the Kidneys
- The internal kidney has three distinct regions.
- The kidneys are part of the urinary system, which also includes the ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.
Function of the Kidneys
- The kidneys maintain the body's internal environment by regulating total water volume and total solute concentration in water.
- They regulate ion concentrations in extracellular fluid (ECF) and ensure long-term acid-base balance.
- The kidneys excrete metabolic wastes, toxins, and drugs, and produce erythropoietin (regulates blood pressure) and renin (regulates RBC production).
Nephrons
- Nephrons are the structural and functional units that form urine, with over 1 million per kidney.
- Each nephron has two main parts: the renal corpuscle and the renal tubule.
- The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus and glomerular (Bowman's) capsule.
- The glomerulus is a high-pressure capillary bed composed of fenestrated endothelium, allowing for efficient filtrate formation.
- The glomerular capsule is a cup-shaped, hollow structure surrounding the glomerulus, consisting of two layers: parietal and visceral.
Renal Tubule
- The renal tubule is about 3 cm (1.2 in.) long and consists of a single layer of epithelial cells.
- The renal tubule has three major parts: proximal convoluted tubule, nephron loop, and distal convoluted tubule.
- The proximal convoluted tubule is closest to the renal corpuscle, and the distal convoluted tubule is farthest from the renal corpuscle.
- The distal convoluted tubule drains into the collecting duct.
Collecting Duct
- The collecting ducts maintain water and Na+ balance and help maintain acid-base balance of blood.
- They receive filtrate from many nephrons and run through the pyramids.
- The ducts fuse together to deliver urine through papillae into minor calyces.
Types of Nephrons
- There are two major groups of nephrons: cortical nephrons (85% of nephrons) and juxtamedullary nephrons.
- Juxtamedullary nephrons have long nephron loops that deeply invade the medulla, and ascending limbs have thick and thin segments.
- Juxtamedullary nephrons play an important role in the production of concentrated urine.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the nerve supply and blood vessels of the kidney, including the path of blood flow and associated structures. This quiz covers topics such as sympathetic fibers from the renal plexus, renal arteries and veins, and nephron-associated blood vessels.
