Visible and Microscopic Anatomy of the Kidney

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to the visible and microscopic anatomy of the kidney, including its structures, functions, and physiological processes.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and producing urine.

Glomerulus

A dense network of capillaries located in the Bowman's capsule where blood filtration occurs.

Renal pelvis

The part of the kidney that collects urine from the renal pyramids and funnels it into the ureter.

Cortex

The outer layer of the kidney, containing glomerular apparatus and proximal convoluted tubules.

Medulla

The inner layer of the kidney, containing renal pyramids and loops of Henle.

Afferent arteriole

A small artery that carries blood into the glomerulus for filtration.

Efferent arteriole

The small artery that carries blood away from the glomerulus after filtration.

Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)

The first segment of the nephron tubule where most reabsorption of solutes and water occurs.

Distal convoluted tubule (DCT)

The segment of the nephron tubule that is involved in further reabsorption and secretion processes.

Filtrate

A fluid that has been filtered from the blood plasma in the Bowman's capsule, which will eventually become urine.

Tubular reabsorption

The process of reclaiming water and solutes from the filtrate back into the blood.

Tubular secretion

The process of moving waste and excess substances from the blood into the filtrate.

Juxtaglomerular apparatus

A specialized structure that regulates blood pressure and the glomerular filtration rate.

Renal artery

The artery that supplies blood to the kidneys from the abdominal aorta.

Renal veins

Veins that carry filtered blood away from the kidneys back to the heart.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)

The rate at which blood is filtered in the glomeruli, typically measured in liters per day.

Podocytes

Specialized cells that surround the glomerulus and regulate the permeability of the capillaries.

Acid

A substance that produces hydronium ions (H3O+) in solution, impacting blood pH.

Homeostasis

The process by which the body maintains stable internal conditions despite external changes.