Kidney Structure

distinguish between a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule

a renal corpuscle is part of a nephron that consists of a glomerulus and a glomerular capsule; a renal tubule is a portion of a nephron that extend from the renal corpuscle to the collecting duct

renal pyramid

conical mass of tissue within renal medulla

renal column

cortical tissue between renal pyramids

papillary duct function

delivery of urine to minor calyx

nephron loop function

further reabsorption of water (descending limb) and both sodium and chloride ions (ascending limb)

list the structures in order nearest to the glomerulus in relation to a nephron

glomerular capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, descending limb of the nephron loop, ascending limb of the nephron loop, distal convoluted tubule, collecting duct, renal papilla

describe the juxtaglomerular apparatus

it is a specialized structure formed by the distal convoluted tubule and the glomerular afferent arteriole

where is the juxtaglomerular apparatus located and whats its function?

it is located near the vascular pole of the glomerulus and its main function is to regulate blood pressure and the filtration rate of the glomerulus

hilum of kidney

medial depression for blood vessels and ureter to enter kidney chamber

renal corpuscle function

production of filtrate

renal papilla

projection with tiny openings into minor calyx

distal convoluted tubule function

secretion of ions, acids, drugs, toxins and variable reabsorption of water, sodium ions, & calcium ions (under hormone control)

renal cortex

shell around renal medulla

renal pelvis

superior funnel-shaped end of ureter inside renal sinus

explain how the blood vessels associated with the renal corpuscle help to maintain a relatively high blood pressure within the glomerulus

the cluster of capillaries that forms a glomerulus arrises from an afferent arteriole. after passing through the glomerular capillaries, blood enters an efferent arteriole whose diameter is smaller than that of the afferent vessel. The efferent arteriole resists blood flow to some extent, which backs up blood into the glomerulus, increasing pressure in the glomerular capillary.

collecting duct function

variable reabsorption of water and reabsorption or secretion of sodium, potassium, hydrogen and bicarbonate ions

calyces

branches of renal pelvis to renal papillae

renal sinus

hollow chamber within kidney

nephron

microscopic functional unit of kidney

proximal convoluted tubule function

reabsorption of water, ions, and all organic nutrients