Review for Renal
If you were explaining blood flow through the nephron to a friend who does not understand the process, which of the following would you most likely say?
Blood enters each kidney through the renal artery and then travels through the arterioles to the glomerulus, where it is filtered; the filtered blood travels through the capillaries surrounding the nephrons and then into the veins, exiting the kidney through the renal vein.
What is the impetus for glomerular filtration?
Blood pressure inside the capillaries in the glomerulus is higher than that of the surrounding capsular space
Glomerular capsule
Bowman's capsule
ANP being released does what to the kidneys?
Causes them to excrete water
ADH being released does what to the kidneys?
Causes them to hang onto water
Where is aldosterone really only acting at?
DCT
10. Describe the major fluid compartments, including intracellular, extracellular, intra vascular, & interstitial volume and chemical composition of major compartment fluids, and the movement of fluid between these compartments.
ECF: serum of blood and interstitial fluid (fluid between your cells and tissues) ICF: more flood in cell than outside cells > takes up largest part of blood volume
Voluntary control over micturition is provided by the
External urethral sphincter.
If your friend asked you to explain how the structures of the kidneys are involved in the processes of filtration, reabsorption, and secretion, which of the following would you most likely say?
Filtration, reabsorption, and secretion all occur in the renal pyramids
The first step in urine formation is called
Filtration.
What is uric acid associated with?
GOUT
Follow urine as it goes through the kidneys and out the body
Glomerular capsule where filtration is collected and get it through PCT > renal loop > DCT > collecting duct > minor calyx > major calyx > renal pelvis > ureter > urinary bladder > urethra
What are the 2 organs part of the dual filter system for blood?
Liver and kidneys
15. Explain the role of the urinary system in acid/base balance.
secretes sodium
What are the big things in urine?
Major 3: Water, salt, urea uric acid (major source is turn over in cells) and sometimes glucose
Review acid base problem
Metabolic equal Respiratory opposite Metabolic> abnormal bicarb and normal co2 Respiratory> abnormal co2
All of the following statements accurately describe the functions of kidney structures except
Nephrons in the renal columns produce urine Not Nephrons in the renal pyramids produce urine The collecting duct deliver urine to the renal pelvises The renal pelvises funnel urine from the kidneys into the ureters
Does having glucose in your urine mean you are diabetic?
No, you need to check fasting blood sugar levels to see what is in their diet IF you saturate you can have glucose spilling in and not necessarily mean you are diabetic
What is erythropoietin for?
Not just for fluid and electrolytes regulation but for your blood
Where does most of the reabsorption occur?
PCT (proximal convoluted tubule) greatest difference because thick blood in the efferent arteriole is going down to the peritubular capillaries so we have thick blood and really dilute urine Start out with plasma without albumin and proteins and RBC/WBC> biggest advantage here Takes more energy to reabsorb anywhere else along nephron tubules
nephron tubules
PCT, renal loop, DCT
3. Discuss the function of the peritubular capillaries and vasa recta
Peritubular capillaries: secrete all H+ ions to get rid of acid and excrete excess sodium or potassium as well as reclaim water reabsorption and secretion may reclaim at PCT but want to excrete later
What is one of the big components of urine?
sodium
Pregnant women run to the bathroom more frequently due to
the uterus pressing on the bladder and sometimes your hormone levels
Why do kidneys like to hang onto bicarb?
they make bicarb and better at getting rid of H+ ions
Timing of reabsorption and secretion
they occur simultaneously Still reabsorbing most of the stuff but takes energy as you get more distal
Macula densa really concentrated what will the feedback say?
to go a little faster here
What gives urine its odor?
urea from breakdown of proteins
What is one thing that can make males get more UTIs?
ureters > if enter urinary bladder too low it lets urine reflex up
What is the difference between male and female urethra?
urethra is shorter in females increased risk of UTI
Is the external urethral sphincter voluntary or involuntary?
voluntary skeletal muscle
What does the macula densa tell the afferent arteriole to do?
when to dilate > increase blood flow through glomerulus capillaries and dropping pressure when to constrict > decrease blood flow through glomerulus capillaries and bring up pressure
Kidneys infections can lead to what?
Renal failure
14. Explain the role of the respiratory system in acid/base balance.
Respiratory> low pH and high CO2 + HCO3 or vice versa Metabolic> equal Acidosis: <7.34 Comp: 7.35-7.45 Alkalosis: >7.46 PCO2: 35-45 HCO3: 22-26
The process of secretion occurs when
Waste ions and hydrogen ions still in the blood pass from capillaries into the renal tubule
If you were explaining the micturition reflex to a friend who does not understand the process, which of the following would you say to explain the steps in the correct order?
When the bladder fills with urine, stretch receptors in the bladder wall transmit nerve impulses to the sacral spinal cord, triggering contraction of the detrusor muscle, relaxation of the internal urethral sphincter, and voluntary relaxation of the external urethral sphincter.
Osmotic pressure
albumin Hang onto enough plasma to keep blood going
renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
angiotensin --> use renin --> angiotensin I --> use ACE --> angiotensin II angiotensin II - stimulate aldosterone = Na+ resorption --> water follows --> increase blood p + K+ secretion
Where is the bladder located in females?
anterior to the uterus
What chemical buffer is the major one outside the cell?
bicarbonate (here all the time in addition to the proteins) to help carry and transport co2
Tylenol is very toxic to the liver
can hurt you down the road and can counteract and be the antidote
If the blood osmolality goes high what does the hypothalamus cause?
cause posterior pituitary to release that stored Antidiuretic Hormone
Where does ADH act?
collecting duct and DCT opening aquaporin channels that are not normally open
As we get older what makes them want to pee?
exposure to the cold
Where is sodium found?
extracellular fluid space
Glomerular filtration rate decreases when we get older and certain drugs lower it
genomyocin and ampicillin
What is the trigger for erythropoietin?
hypoxia
2. Describe gross & microscopic anatomy of the urinary tract, including detailed histology of the nephron.
renal arteries brining oxygenated blood in renal veins bringing deoxygenated blood out nephron > afferent arteriole going in to the glomerulus forming glomerular capillaries go more distal efferent arteriole > vasa recta nephron consists of glomerular capillaries plus tubule system that starts with the glomerular capsule which leads into the PCT > renal loop > DCT> collecting duct > minor and major calyx > renal pelvis > ureter > urinary bladder > urethra
As we get older, what happens to our urinary bladder?
it shrinks and is why we go to the bathroom more frequently unless you held in your urine too long
Where is renin produced?
juxtaglomerular cells of the afferent arteriole
Erythropoietin is made where?
kidneys
Where is angiotensinogen produced?
liver
What is the trigger for renin?
low blood pressure causes Angiotensinogen to go to Angiotensin 1 Angiotensin converting enzyme (pulmonary capillaries) creates Angiotensin 2
Thinner urine
macula densa feeds back to the afferent arteriole and tells it to slow down the rate at which the glomerulus capillaries are getting the blood flow
Micturition reflex aka peeing
malonation isn't there until about 18 months
What does the macula densa do?
monitoring urine concentration closest we come to body measuring sodium levels
What does the hypothalamus do?
monitors osmolality of blood
renal tubules
nephron tubules together collectively
Flowing too fast
not enough time to filter out blood to clean it
5. Explain the functional processes of urine formation, including filtration, reabsorption, secretion, and excretion.
0.5 to 1 ml/kg/hr minimum UO > monitor blood pressure inadequate blood pressure, fluid intake, evidence of shock maintain blood flow to brain and heart and sometimes kidney> kidneys lose blood first (auto-regulate themselves at 90-180) Filtration: first step in the formation of urine, this is what is happening at glomerular capillaries, anything that can fit through is going to be caught by glomerular capsule and is going to be urine unless we reclaim what we want Reabsorption and secretion/excretion: PCT, renal loop, DCT (nephron loop) most of reabsorption taking place Proximally> PCT: greatest difference between osmolality of blood (high) and urine (low) Favors reabsorption of water and also electrolytes
A burn patient you would probably run how much urine output?
1 ml/kg/hr Especially if there is muscle damage
13. Identify the three blood variables considered when making a diagnosis of acidosis or alkalosis
1) Bicarbonate (HCO3) > metabolic 2) CO2 > respiratory 3) ABG > blood pH
11. Identify the six ions most important to the function of the body
1) Ca > 8.5-10.5 (9-11) 2) Mg > 2 (1.5-2.5) 3) Na > 140 (135-145) 4) K > 4 (3.5-5) 5) Cl > 100 (98-107) 6) Phos > 2 7) HCO3> 22-29
What are the 4 triggers for RAAS?
1) Stimulates release of ADH 2) Stimulates release of Aldosterone 3) Stimulates thirst 4) Vasoconstriction 1-3 are all indirectly raising blood pressure 4 is directly raising blood pressure
What is Magnesiums (Mg+2) electrolyte level?
1.5-2.5
Always check urine for UTI
10,000 colony count less than 10,000 were ridiculed for accepting below that value expect urine to be fairly sterile and now 3,000 is considered a UTI
What is Sodiums (Na+) electrolyte level?
135-145
What is Bicarbonates (HCO3-) electrolyte level?
22-26
What is Potassiums (K+) electrolyte level?
3.5-5
Stretch on RA causes what to be released?
ANP
What is the antagonist to ADH?
ANP> atrial natriuretic peptide
Which processes of urine formation occur in the renal tubules?
Absorption and secretion
What is a trigger for ADH and Aldosterone?
Angiotensin 2
Aldosterone triggered by
Angiotensin 2 or high potassium level Excrete potassium and reabsorb sodium which pulls water with it
The anterior surface of the left kidney is in contact with portions of all of the following structures except
The liver Not The small intestine The stomach The spleen
Ureters are tubes of smooth muscle that move urine from the renal pelvises to the bladder through
Peristalsis.
The amount of filtrate produced by kidneys each minute, or glomerular filtration rate, averages _____ ml per minute.
125
What is the source of the nitrogenous compounds in urine?
Protein metabolism
All of the following are main components of urine except
Proteins Not Nitrogenous compounds Salts Water
If your instructor asked you to explain what prevents proteins and blood cells from going through the filtration membrane, which of the following would you most likely say?
Proteins and blood cells are too large to fit through the pores in the filtration membrane
Nerves in which region of the spinal cord stimulate the micturition reflex?
Sacral
Urine is propelled along the ureters by _____ in the ureter walls.
Smooth muscle contractions
All of the following are steps in the process of urine formation except
Some substances are filtered from the urine Not Some substances are secreted as waste into the urine Some substances are reabsorbed back into the blood Some substances are filtered from the blood.
When the bladder fills with urine, _____ in the bladder wall trigger the micturition reflex.
Stretch receptors
The kidneys are located between the _____ and _____ vertebrae.
T12, L03
Which parts of the brain are involved in nervous control of micturition?
Thalamus and cerebral cortex
If you were giving an oral report on bladder anatomy, you would likely want to include all of the following points except
The bladder contains conical masses of nephrons and columns of cortical tissue Not The trigone is a triangular region on the floor of the bladder The bladder is surrounded by a smooth muscle called the detrusor The mucosa of the bladder is made of transitional epithelium thrown into folds called rugae
Based on the position of the female bladder in relation to the vagina and uterus, what do you think happens to the bladder during the last month of pregnancy?
The bladder is compressed and the urge to urinate is more frequent.
Which of the following visually distinguishes the renal cortex from the renal medulla?
The cortex is lighter colored, whereas the medulla is darker
All of the following nervous system structures are involved in the micturition reflex except
The hypothalamus. Not The thalamus The sacral spinal nerves The cerebral cortex
What does afferent arteriole do?
sensing blood pressure Trigger for renin release
Ascending and Descending loop of Henle
Proximal and distal renal loop
Blood enters the kidneys through the _____ and exits the kidneys through the _____.
Renal arteries, renal veins
The _____ supplies the kidney with blood, whereas the _____ drains blood from the kidney.
Renal artery, renal vein
Which of the following lists the correct order of the structures urine passes through as it leaves the kidneys on its way out of the body?
Renal pyramids, renal pelvises, ureters, bladder, urethra
All of the following are regions of the male urethra except
Vestibular urethra Not Prostatic urethra Membranous urethra Spongy urethra
Once you stretch the bladder, what happens to the internal sphincter?
Internal sphincter is going to relax and be open Only have external sphincter holding on to things
4. Identify the location of the juxtaglomerular apparatus, its function, and describe the cells that form it
Sitting in two locations Composed of juxtaglomerular cells which are in the afferent arteriole and macula densa which is in the DCT juxtaglomerular cells is where the renin is actually made part of afferent arteriole wall > when there is less stretch that signals low blood pressure and renin is released macula densa > monitoring concentration of your urine and will feedback to the afferent arteriole to cause it so slow down or speed up flow of blood Concentration high: cause vasodilation> speed things up Concentration low: cause vasoconstriction > slow things down
8. Describe innervation & control of the urinary bladder
internal and external sphincter control the urethra internal sphincter > involuntary smooth muscle so it can respond to stretch of urinary bladder as it becomes full and spinal reflex to empty bladder and causes Detrusor muscle (bladder wall) to contract and only have external sphincter stopping this external sphincter > skeletal muscle voluntary Sacral and lumbar sacral: takes time to have control of UO> 18 months of age send signals through somatic nerve spinal reflex> damage down low can be prone to sympathetic reflex dystrophy
Where is potassium found?
intracellular fluid space
Is the internal sphincter voluntary or involuntary?
involuntary smooth muscle
Renal Loop
(Loop of Henle)
1. Identify general functions of the urinary system.
*More than just to make urine *kidneys many times a day (60+) entire blood volume is filtered removing potential toxins and at the same time reclaiming any fluids and electrolytes *Sensing oxygen content of blood (hypoxia releases erythropoietin) *kidneys key to maintaining blood pressure (RAAS) *fluid and electrolyte balance done by kidneys and key in maintaining
7. Describe endocrine activities of the kidneys
*role of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system kidneys make renin and erythropoietin (hypoxia)
At which approximate bladder volume will micturition occur unless the external urethral sphincter is powerful enough to stop it?
500 ml
What is Calciums (Ca+2) electrolyte level?
8.5-10.5 (9-11)
In kidneys, what systolic blood pressure must you keep before renal failure?
90-180
If your lab partner asked you what diuretic means, which of the following would you most likely say?
A diuretic is something that increases urine volume by increasing the amount of water in urine.
If the hypothalamus detects decreased water concentration in the blood, it stimulates the pituitary gland to release more
Antidiuretic hormone
If your instructor asked you to explain the role of antidiuretic hormone in the urinary system, which of the following points would you likely make?
Antidiuretic hormone stimulates increases water reabsorption by the kidneys.
Which of the following statements explains how blood plasma moves through the filtration membrane?
Blood pressure is higher inside the glomerulus than in the surrounding capsular space, pushing blood plasma through the filtration membrane
If your instructor asked you to outline the path through which plasma is filtered into urine through the nephron, which of the following would you identify as the correct path?
Capillaries, glomerular capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, nephron loop, distal convoluted tubule, collecting duct, ureter
Urine passes through the _____ to the ureter.
Collecting duct
If your instructor asked you to identify the principle functions of nephrons, you would most likely identify all of the following except
Decomposition Not Secretion Reabsorption Filtration
When the bladder reaches an approximate volume of 200-250 ml, the _____ muscle begins to contract and the _____ muscle begins to relax, creating the urge to micturate.
Detrusor, internal urethral
Which of the following statements accurately compares the steps in urine production?
Filtration occurs in the renal corpuscles, whereas reabsorption and secretion occur in the renal tubules.
The first step in urine formation is
Glomerular filtration
If your instructor asked you to trace the process of urine formation, which of the following identifies the steps in the correct order?
Glomerular filtration occurs first and then reabsorption and secretion occur simultaneously
Arterioles deliver blood to the _____, a capillary tuft of each nephron, where it is filtered.
Glomerulus
All of the following are nitrogenous wastes that are secreted in urine except
Hydrogen Not Ammonia Uric acid Creatine
Where is the male bladder located?
In front of the rectum and above the prostate gland
Which structures maintain urinary continence?
Internal and external urethral sphincters
What is the main function of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?
It increases water reabsorption by the kidneys
All of the following statements accurately describe the renal corpuscle except
It is a fatty tissue layer that surrounds the kidneys. Not It is surrounded by the glomerular, or Bowman's, capsule It contains a spherical capillary network know as the glomerulus It is the primary site of blood filtration
Which of the following characteristics distinguishes the urethra from the other urologic organs?
It is the only urologic organ that shows any significant anatomic difference between males and females
The _____ are the blood-filtering structures of the urinary system.
Kidneys
If your instructor asked you to indicate the path urine takes through the urinary system before it is excreted, which of the following lists the structures in the correct order
Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra
What are the basic functional units of the kidney?
Nephrons
Which of the following accurately compares the conditions related to urine volume?
Oliguria refers to urine output below 500 ml per day, anuria refers to the virtual absence of urine production, and polyuria refers to excessive urine production.
How many nephrons does each kidney include
Over a million
The _____ kidney is slightly lower than the other kidney to accommodate the _____.
Right, liver
All of the following statements accurately describe the bladder except
The bladder's internal voluntary sphincter and external involuntary sphincter control the flow of urine. Not The mucosa of the bladder is composed of transitional epithelium, which is folded into rugae The opening of the ureters and the internal urethral orifice from a funnel-shaped region of the bladder floor called the trigone The bladder is surrounded by an underlying smooth muscle known as the detrusor muscle.
All of the following are parts of the nephron except
The collecting duct Not The glomerular capsule The distal convoluted tubule The proximal convoluted tubule
What are the involuntary muscle actions of micturition?
The detrusor muscle contracts and the internal urethral sphincter relaxes.
All of the following are sections of the renal tubule except
The glomerular capsule Not The proximal convoluted tubule The nephron loop The distal convoluted tubule
All of the following are sections of the renal tubule except
The glomerulus Not The distal convoluted tubule The nephron loop The proximal convoluted tubule
If your friend asked you to explain the process of filtration, your explanation would likely include all of the following except
The glomerulus pushes blood cells and proteins into the glomerular capsule Not Blood enter the nephron through the glomerulus The filtrate flows into the proximal convoluted tubule Blood pressure forces blood against a specialized layer of cells that surrounds the capillaries
Which part of the brain detects blood water levels?
The hypothalamus
If your friend just completed a marathon and was dehydrated, how would you explain to this friend what his or her body would do to maintain osmolarity?.
The hypothalamus would detect decreased water concentration in the blood and stimulate the pituitary gland to release more antidiuretic hormone
All of the following statements accurately distinguish the male urethra from the female urethra except
The male urethra is much shorter than the female urethra. Not The male urethra is much longer than the female urethra Urine and semen pass through the male urethra, whereas only urine passes through the female urethra The male urethra is divided into prostatic, membranous, and spongy regions, whereas the female urethra is not broken into regions.
Which gland releases antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?
The posterior pituitary gland
Which of the following accurately describes how the processes of reabsorption and secretion are related to each other
The process of reabsorbing water and nutrients and secreting additional wastes creates urine.
Which of the following accurately compares the regions of the male urethra?
The prostatic urethra is the widest and most readily dilated region, the membranous urethra is the narrowest and least dilatable region, and the spongy urethra is the longest region.
If your instructor asked you to do an oral report on the functions of the kidney's structures, which of the following would you most likely say?
The renal pelvis functions as an excretory channel for the kidney, funneling urine from the kidney into the ureters.
Which of the following is a shared characteristic of the ureters, bladder, and urethra?
They all have smooth muscle, which contracts to move urine through the urinary system
Which of the following is a shared characteristic of the right and left renal veins?
They both split into an anterior and posterior branch upon entering the kidneys
As nephrons filter blood from the renal artery in the renal pyramids, _____ and _____ enter the filtrate.
Water, solutes
12. Identify the buffer systems & their roles in acid/base balance
chemical buffers: fastest and most rapid since they are always there in blood or cells to buffer acids (proteins/albumin) ECF: bicarbonate after proteins ICF: phosphate kidneys and lungs> respiratory buffer: too much acid bicarbonate is high: surpass reparation and retain acid kidneys make bicarbonate and good at secreting H+ ions
Renal tubule
collectively for the tubules of the nephron
How do you know if they are maintaining a good blood pressure?
if they maintain a certain urine output you know they have an adequate blood pressure to maintain urine output
Urine output UO= 0.5 to 1 ml/kg/hr 100kg person, what is the minimum and maximum?
minimum: 50ml maximum: 100ml A little more is okay but not a lot because it could be high output renal failure
What chemical buffer is the major one inside the cell?
phosphate
9. Describe the regulation of water intake & output
regulated by hypothalamus > has Osmo receptors in it that senses osmolality at blood is high and will cause thirst and to release ADH to reabsorb more water if low, no drive to drink more fluid hypothalamus regulates water balance, so do kidneys of water and electrolytes water follows sodium> indirectly through aldosterone (angiotensin 2 or high K+) DCT ANP is antagonist to ADH> act faster than aldosterone and secrete sodium Angiotensin 2: secretion of ADH and aldosterone reclaim most of water through kidneys: important or we would be dehydrated
Liver removes ammonia
sometimes leaves by feces and the rest of it goes to the kidney for kidney to take care of it
Why do we not want blood pressure too high in glomerulus capillaries?
somewhat fragile with simple squamous epithelium and connective tissue holding them together and risk damaging them
Micturition reflex trigger is what?
stretch of the bladder
If you are worried about blood pressure what do you watch?
urine output
6. Explain factors regulating & altering urine volume & composition, including the rennin-angiotensin system and the roles of aldosterone & antidiuretic hormone
urine volume can be altered with feedback of macula densa Aldosterone, released will cause DCT to release K+ ions and reabsorb Na+ (some water will follow) ADH acting at collecting duct and DCT> binds to aquaporin and opens gate which allows reabsorption of water PTH: regulate calcium and vitamin d> activated in kidneys released in response to low ca
What component of blood is filtered from the glomerulus into the renal capsule
Plasma
If you were giving an oral report on the waste products that are secreted in urine, you would likely make all of the following points except
25% of urine is waste products from body processes Not 5% of urine is waste products from the body processes Nitrogenous wastes secreted in urine include urea, creatine, ammonia and uric acid Ions secreted in urine include sodium, potassium, hydrogen, and calcium
All of the following statements accurately describe the process of filtration except
Blood cells and proteins pass through the glomerulus into the glomerular capsule Not Nephrons in the renal pyramids filter blood for the renal artery Water and waste pass through the glomerulus into the glomerular capsule Blood cells and proteins remain in the bloodstream
The glomerular capsules are located in the _____ of the kidneys.
Cortex
If your friend was concerned that his or her urine was darker than normal, you might ease your friend's mind by explaining all of the following except
Excess hydration can result in darker urine. Not Excessive sweating can result in darker urine Certain foods can result in darker urine Dehydration can result in darker urine
As filtrate passes out of the glomerular capsule through the renal tubule, all of the following substances are reabsorbed into the body except
Hydrogen ions Not Amino acids Glucose Water
As the filtrate passes out of the glomerular capsule and through the renal tubule, all of the following substances are reabsorbed into the body through cells along the tube wall except
Hydrogen ions Not Glucose Water Amino acids
In males, the bladder is located _____ the rectum and _____ the prostate gland.
In front of, above
The female bladder is located _____ the vagina and _____ the uterus.
In front of, below
What are the 2 ways that the kidney is auto-regulating itself?
Macula densa and afferent arteriole
All of the following statements accurately describe the internal and external urethral sphincters except
The internal urethral sphincter is voluntary and the external urethral sphincter is involuntary. Not The maintain urinary continence The internal urethral sphincter is involuntary and the external urethral sphincter is voluntary They provide for muscle control of urine flow outside the body
All of the following statements accurately describe the position of the kidneys except
The kidneys are enclosed within the thoracic cage. Not The Kidneys are located behind the peritoneum The kidneys are located between the T12 and L03 vertebrae The right Kidney is lower than the left Kidney to accommodate the liver
Which of the following statements accurately describes the function of the renal pelvises?
The renal pelvises funnel urine from the kidneys into the ureters.
Which of the following accurately compares the position of the right and left kidneys?
The right kidney is slightly lower than the left kidney to accommodate the liver.
Which of the following distinguishes the right renal artery from the left?
The right renal artery is longer than the left
If your instructor asked you to explain the ureters to your peers, you would likely make all of the following points except
The ureters convey urine from the bladder out of the body. Not The ureteral orifices, along with the internal urethral orifice, make up the trigone of the bladder The ureters enter the bladder through slitlike openings in the posterolateral bladder floor The ureters are thick-walled, narrow tubes
If your friend asked you to explain the renal pyramids, your explanation would likely include all of the following points except
They are conical masses located within the cortex of the kidneys Not They narrow into apices as they converge toward the renal pelvis Most of their mass is nephrons They are conical masses located within the medulla of the kidneys
Which of the following statements accurately describes the renal arteries?
They branch from the aorta and supply blood to the kidneys.
What is the primary function of nephrons?
They process blood plasma to form urine
The processes of reabsorption and secretion create _____, which passes out of the kidneys through the _____.
Urine, renal pelvises