Chapter 25: Urinary System

These flashcards cover the anatomy and physiology of the urinary system as outlined in the lecture notes.

What are the main organs of the urinary system?

The main organs are the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.

What are the primary functions of the kidneys?

The kidneys filter blood, produce urine, regulate blood pressure, balance electrolytes, and maintain acid-base balance.

Where are the kidneys located in the body?

The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space behind the abdominal cavity.

What structures extend through the renal hilus?

The renal artery, renal vein, ureters, and nerves extend through the renal hilus.

What are the three layers that surround each kidney?

The renal capsule, adipose capsule, and renal fascia.

What is nephroptosis?

Nephroptosis is the condition where a kidney is abnormally positioned lower in the abdomen.

What structures are found in the renal medulla?

The renal pyramids and the renal columns are found in the renal medulla.

What is the structure and function of the juxtaglomerular apparatus?

It consists of specialized cells that regulate blood pressure and filtration rate.

What are the two major portions of a nephron?

The renal corpuscle and the renal tubule.

How do cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons differ?

Cortical nephrons have shorter loops of Henle and are predominantly located in the cortex, while juxtamedullary nephrons have longer loops of Henle and are located near the medulla.

What are the three main sections of the renal tubule?

Proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, and distal convoluted tubule.

What is the filtration fraction?

The filtration fraction is the percentage of plasma volume that is filtered through the glomeruli into the renal tubules.

What contributes to net filtration pressure (NFP)?

NFP is influenced by glomerular hydrostatic pressure, capsular hydrostatic pressure, and the osmotic pressure of blood.

How does the loss of plasma proteins affect filtration?

Loss of plasma proteins decreases osmotic pressure, leading to increased filtration.

What is the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?

GFR is the rate at which blood is filtered in the kidneys, indicating kidney function.

How does the myogenic mechanism regulate GFR?

The myogenic mechanism adjusts blood flow through changes in vascular smooth muscle contraction in response to blood pressure changes.

What is tubular reabsorption?

Tubular reabsorption is the process by which substances are returned from the renal tubules back into the bloodstream.

What is glucosuria?

Glucosuria is the presence of glucose in the urine, often related to its transport maximum being exceeded.

What roles do principal cells and intercalated cells play in the collecting duct?

Principal cells reabsorb sodium and secrete potassium, while intercalated cells secrete hydrogen ions and reabsorb bicarbonate.

What effect does ADH have on the kidneys?

ADH increases the reabsorption of water in the collecting ducts, leading to concentrated urine.

What is the anatomy of the ureters?

The ureters are muscular tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder, lined with transitional epithelium.

What is incontinence?

Incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine.

How does the urinary system help maintain homeostasis?

The urinary system regulates fluid balance, electrolytes, and blood pressure, removing waste products from the body.