Urinary Tract Reciew
Urinary Tract Reciew
Urinary Tract Reciew
EXTERNAL ANATOMY
Hilus Blood vessels and ureters enter hilus of kidney
Renal capsule Transparent membrane maintains organ shape;
actual outer layer of organ itself
Adipose capsule Cushion, helps protect from trauma
Renal fascia Dense, irregular connective tissue (membrane)
that holds kidneys against back body wall
(outermost layer)
INTERNAL ANATOMY
Parenchyma of kidney The solid part of kidney where the process of
waste excretion takes place; bulk of substance of
kidney
Renal cortex Superficial layer of kidney
Renal medulla Layer below cortex; inner portion consisting of
cone-shaped renal pyramids separated by renal
columns; most of the function of the kidney
occurs here!; renal papilla point toward center of
kidney
Renal sinus Is a hollow cavity where other structures are
located; hollow cavity that is filled with drainage
system; no urine in sinus, only tubes
Minor calyx (calyces) Cuplike structure collects urine from papillary
ducts of papilla (where urine is released)
Major calyx Tubes formed when minor calyx join together
Renal pelvis Expanded tube where major calyx empties; this
empties into ureters
Blood supply
Glomerular capillaries – where filtration of blood occurs
Afferent arterioles – go into glomerulus (provides blood)
Efferent arterioles – go out of glomerulus (drains blood)
*Changes in filtration are controlled by vasoconstriction and vasodilation of these
arterioles
Pertubular capillaries and vasa recta – carry away reabsorbed substances from filtrate
Nephron – glomerular capillaries are formed b/n the afferent and efferent arterioles; efferent arterioles
give rise to the peritubular capillaries and vasa recta; nephron is composed of a corpuscle and tubule
(renal corpuscle – site of plasma filtration).
Glomerulus – is capillaries where filtration occurs (taking fluid particles out of blood);
glomerular capillaries arise from afferent arterioles and form a ball before emptying into
efferent arteriole.
Bowman's (Glomerular) capsule – is double-walled epithelial cup that collects filtrate;
surround capsular space
Renal tubules
1. PCT (proximal convoluted tubule) – where most of the reabsorption occurs
2. Loop of Henle (Nephron loop) – dips down into the medulla
3. DCT (distal convoluted tubule
4. Collecting ducts and papillary ducts – drain urine to the renal pelvis and ureter
Hormonal regulation – hormones that affect Na+, Cl-, and water reabsorption and K+ secretion in
tubules
Increase water level in plasma
1. Aldersterone – to conserve water – decrease GFR by vasoconstricting afferent arteriole;
enhances absorption of Na+
2. ADH (antidiuretic hormone) – to conserve water – increases permeability of membranes
– allows water to follow Na+
Decrease water level in plasma
1. ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide) – inhibits reabsorption of Na+ and water in PCT and
suppresses secretion of aldosterone and ADH; keeps you from pumping Na+ into bloo
which keeps water from returning to blood.
2. Diuretics – substances that slow renal reabsorption of water and cause diuresis (increase
urine flow) – caffeine which inhibits Na+ reabsorption; prescription meds can act on
PCT, loop of Henle, or DCT; Alcohol inhibits secretion of ADH
Water gain and loss – gain from ingestion and metabolic water formed during aerobic respiration and
dehydration synthesis reactions; normally loss = gain (urine, feces, sweat, breathe)
1. Regulation of water gain – formation of metabolic water is not regulated; function of the need
for ATP; main regulator of water gain is intake regulation; stimulators of thirst center in
hypothalamus
2. Regulation of water loss – elimination of excess water or solutes occurs through urination;
demonstrates how - “water follows salt” - excrete Na+ and water will follow and decrease blood
volume
Electrolytes
Functions
1. Control osmosis b/n fluid compartments (Na+ into cell or out of cell)
2. help maintain acid-base balance (phosphates)
3. carry electric current (action potentional, Na+)
4. cofactors needed for enzymatic activity
Common electrolytes
Acid-base balance
2. Exhalation of carbon dioxide – carbon dioxide in plasma to form carbonic acid which decreases
pH; exhalation of carbon dioxide returns pH to normal