Urinary System Anatomy and Function

Flashcards covering the anatomy and functions of the urinary system based on lecture notes.

What is the primary function of the urinary system?

Filtering blood and removing metabolic waste.

After the kidneys create urine, what are the two main functions of the rest of the urinary system structures?

Transport urine or store urine.

What are the four main anatomical components of the urinary system?

Kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

What is the primary function of the ureters?

To transport urine from the kidney to the bladder.

What is the primary function of the bladder?

To temporarily store urine.

What is the primary function of the urethra?

To move urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

Why does the right kidney sit lower than the left kidney?

The right kidney sits slightly lower than the left kidney because of the liver's position on the right side of the abdomen.

What is the concave area on the medial side of the kidney where structures enter and exit?

The renal hilum.

What structures enter or exit the kidney at the renal hilum?

Renal artery, renal vein, and ureter.

Where are the kidneys located?

Kidneys are located in the abdominal cavity, lateral to the vertebral column, around the level of the floating ribs.

What is the position of the kidneys in relation to the peritoneum?

Retroperitoneal.

Besides the parietal peritoneum, what other layers surround the kidney?

Renal fascia and perirenal fat capsule.

What are the two main functions of the perirenal fat capsule?

Protection and gluconeogenesis.

What is the thick connective tissue layer that directly surrounds the kidney?

The renal or fibrous capsule.

What is a floating or wandering kidney?

A condition where the kidney drops in position when standing, potentially kinking blood vessels and the ureter.

What are the two main layers of the internal kidney structure?

Renal cortex and renal medulla.

What is the renal pyramid?

A triangular structure within the renal medulla.

What is the renal column?

A portion of the renal cortex that extends between the renal pyramids.

What is the renal papilla?

The end of the renal pyramid where urine is released into the minor calyx.

What is the hollow area within the kidney that collects urine?

The renal pelvis.

What is the minor calyx?

A structure that receives urine from one renal pyramid.

What is the major calyx?

A structure that receives urine from multiple minor calyces.

What is the microscopic functional unit of the kidney?

The nephron.

What structures are located inside of the renal pyramids?

Collecting ducts.