APHY 102 Exam 4 Questions and Answers
Where are the urinary system organs located in the human body?
The urinary system is located in the retroperitoneal space and the pelvic cavity.
What are the functions of the kidneys in the human body?
Filter blood to remove metabolic waste via urine
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aphy 102 exam 4 questions and answers where are th
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APHY 102 Exam 4 Questions and Answers
Where are the urinary system organs located in the human body?
The urinary system is located in the retroperitoneal space and the pelvic cavity.
What are the functions of the kidneys in the human body?
Filter blood to remove metabolic waste via urine
Modify fluid to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance/homeostasis (osmolarity)
Maintain acid-base homeostasis
Regulate blood pressure
What are the components of the urinary tract and what are their functions?
Kidneys: Filter blood to remove waste, excess substances, and fluids to form urine.
Ureters: Transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
Bladder: Stores urine until it is ready to be expelled from the body.
Urethra: Carries urine from the bladder out of the body during urination.
What is osmolarity?
Osmolarity refers to the concentration of electrolytes (and other solutes) in a solution.
How do the kidneys regulate erythrocyte (red blood cell) production?
The kidneys regulate erythrocyte production by secreting the hormone erythropoietin.
What is the role of the kidneys in glucose production?
The kidneys have the ability to produce new glucose through a process called gluconeogenesis.
What is the role of the kidneys in the activation of vitamin D?
The kidneys perform the final step in converting vitamin D into its active form, calcitriol.
What is the appearance of the kidneys in terms of shape and color?
The kidneys resemble beans in both shape and color.
What does it mean that the kidneys are retroperitoneal?
Being retroperitoneal means that the kidneys are located behind the abdominal cavity.
Which ribs provide some protection for the kidneys, and how do they do this?
The 11th and 12th ribs provide some level of protection for the kidneys.
What are the three layers that surround and support the kidney, and what is the hilum?
Layers Surrounding the Kidney:
-Renal Capsule: A tough fibrous layer surrounding the kidney.
,-Adipose Capsule: A layer of fat that provides cushioning and insulation for the kidney.
-Renal Fascia: A thin, dense layer of tissue that helps anchor the kidney to surrounding structures and
the abdominal wall.
The Hilum:
The hilum is the part of the kidney where the renal artery enters, the renal vein and ureter leave. It's
essentially the entry and exit site for blood vessels, nerves, and the ureter.
What are the three distinct regions of the kidney?
Cortex: The outer layer of the kidney, where filtration occurs.
Medulla: The middle layer, containing the renal pyramids and renal columns, where urine formation
continues.
Renal Pelvis: The innermost region, a funnel-shaped structure that collects urine and channels it into
the ureter.
What are the characteristics of the renal cortex, and how does it interact with the renal medulla?
Characteristics of the Renal Cortex:
Reddish-brown color, attributed to its rich blood supply.
Contains 90-95% of the kidney's blood supply.
Interaction with the Renal Medulla:
The cortex extends into the renal medulla in the form of renal columns.
What is the functional unit of the kidney, and what are its main components?
Functional Unit: The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney.
Main Components:
Renal Corpuscle: Located in the cortex, involved in the filtration of blood.
Renal Tubule: Also located in the cortex, plays a role in the reabsorption and secretion process of
forming urine.
What does the renal medulla contain, and what are the characteristics of the renal pyramids?
Renal Medulla:
Contains the renal pyramids.
Renal Pyramids:
Consist of portions of the renal tubule that extend into the medulla.
,Include collecting ducts that play a role in urine formation and transport.
Describe the structure of the renal pyramids and the pathway for urine drainage from the renal
pyramids to the bladder.
Renal Pyramids:
Have papillae at their tips, bordering on the initial urine draining structures, the minor calyces.
Urine Draining Pathway:
Each pyramid drains into 3-4 minor calyces.
The minor calyces open into a major calyx.
2-3 major calyces combine to form the renal pelvis.
The renal pelvis leads to the ureter, which drains urine to the bladder.
Note:
The calyces and the renal pelvis are situated within the renal sinus.
How is blood supplied to and returned from the kidneys, and what is the origin of the renal arteries?
Blood Supply to the Kidneys:
The kidneys receive blood through the renal arteries.
Blood Return from the Kidneys:
Blood is returned from the kidneys via the renal veins.
Origin of the Renal Arteries:
The renal arteries are branches of the abdominal aorta.
How much of the total cardiac output do the kidneys receive
The kidneys receive approximately one quarter (¼) of the total cardiac output per minute, which
equates to about 1200 ml.
How is the vascular structure of the kidneys unique compared to other organs?
In the kidneys, arterioles both feed and drain the capillaries. This is unique because, in most other
organs, venules are responsible for draining capillaries.
Describe the blood flow through the renal corpuscle and the unique aspects of its vascular
arrangement.
Blood Flow in the Renal Corpuscle:
Blood enters the renal corpuscle via afferent arterioles.
, These arterioles feed a ball of capillaries called the glomerulus.
The glomerulus is encased by the glomerular capsule.
The glomerulus and glomerular capsule together form the renal corpuscle.
Blood is then drained from the renal corpuscle by efferent arterioles.
Further Blood Flow:
After efferent arterioles, blood flows to the peritubular capillaries.
Then it moves to peritubular venules, and eventually to larger veins to form the renal vein.
Unique Aspect:
Typically, blood flow in other organs goes from arterioles, to capillaries, then to venules.
The kidney's arrangement is not a portal system.
What are the two main divisions of the nephron?
Renal Corpuscle: The initial filtering component of the nephron, consisting of the glomerulus and the
Bowman's capsule.
Renal Tubule: The second part of the nephron, where filtered fluid passes through and urine is
formed. This includes the proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and
the collecting duct.
What is the role of the renal corpuscle in the kidney?
The renal corpuscle is responsible for filtering the blood, which is a crucial first step in the process of
urine formation.
Why is the glomerulus in the kidney considered 'leaky', and what is the significance of fenestrated
capillaries?
The glomerulus is leaky due to its composition of fenestrated capillaries.
Fenestrations refer to small holes or windows in the capillaries, which allow for the efficient filtration
of blood.
Describe the structure of the glomerular capsule and the process of filtration in the kidney.
Glomerular Capsule Structure:
-Composed of a double layer.
-The outer layer is the parietal layer, made of squamous epithelium.
-The inner layer, or visceral layer, consists of specialized epithelial cells called podocytes.
Function of Podocytes:
-Podocytes, meaning "foot cells", cover the glomerulus.
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