Module 8 (Renal system)

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Last updated 12:05 AM on 6/7/26
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5 Terms

1
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Describe the structure and functions of the kidney.

Structure:

  • Cortex – outer region containing glomeruli and convoluted tubules.

  • Medulla – inner region containing loops of Henle and collecting ducts.

  • Renal pelvis – collects urine before it enters the ureter.

Functions:

  • Excretes waste products and drugs.

  • Maintains long-term acid-base balance.

  • Regulates blood pressure.

  • Filters ~180 L of plasma/day.

<p><strong>Structure:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Cortex</strong> – outer region containing glomeruli and convoluted tubules.</p></li><li><p><strong>Medulla</strong> – inner region containing loops of Henle and collecting ducts.</p></li><li><p><strong>Renal pelvis</strong> – collects urine before it enters the ureter.</p></li></ul><p><strong>Functions:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Excretes waste products and drugs.</p></li><li><p>Maintains long-term acid-base balance.</p></li><li><p>Regulates blood pressure.</p></li><li><p>Filters ~180 L of plasma/day.</p></li></ul><p></p>
2
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What is the nephron and what are its components?

The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney (~1 million per kidney).

It consists of:

  • Vascular components (blood vessels)

  • Tubular components (renal tubules)

Each nephron contains a glomerulus attached to a tubule.

3
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Describe the vascular components of the nephron.

Blood flow pathway:

Renal artery → Afferent arteriole → Glomerulus → Efferent arteriole → Peritubular capillaries → Renal vein

  • Renal artery: Brings blood into the kidneys

  • Afferent arteriole: Delivers blood to the glomerulus.

  • Glomerulus: Capillary network where plasma filtration occurs.

  • Efferent arteriole: Carries blood away from the glomerulus.

  • Peritubular capillaries: Surround tubules and allow reabsorption and secretion.

  • Renal vein: Takes the filtered blood out of the kidneys and back into the body

<p><strong>Blood flow pathway:</strong></p><p>Renal artery → Afferent arteriole → Glomerulus → Efferent arteriole → Peritubular capillaries → Renal vein</p><ul><li><p><strong>Renal artery: </strong>Brings blood into the kidneys</p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>Afferent arteriole:</strong> Delivers blood to the glomerulus.</p></li><li><p><strong>Glomerulus:</strong> Capillary network where plasma filtration occurs.</p></li><li><p><strong>Efferent arteriole:</strong> Carries blood away from the glomerulus.</p></li><li><p><strong>Peritubular capillaries:</strong> Surround tubules and allow reabsorption and secretion.</p></li><li><p><strong>Renal vein: </strong>Takes the filtered blood out of the kidneys and back into the body </p></li></ul><p></p>
4
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Describe the tubular components of the nephron and their functions.

  • Bowman's capsule: Collects the filtrate from the glomerulus.

  • Proximal tubule: Site of most reabsorption of water, Na⁺, and nutrients.

  • Loop of Henle: Creates urine concentration gradients.

  • Distal tubule: Fine-tunes ion reabsorption (water and sodium) and secretion (potassium and hydrogen).

  • Collecting duct: Final regulation of water balance and urine concentration

  • Renal pelvis: Collects urine and funnels it to the bladder

<ul><li><p><strong>Bowman's capsule:</strong> Collects the filtrate from the glomerulus.</p></li><li><p><strong>Proximal tubule:</strong> Site of most reabsorption of water, Na⁺, and nutrients.</p></li><li><p><strong>Loop of Henle:</strong> Creates urine concentration gradients.</p></li><li><p><strong>Distal tubule:</strong> Fine-tunes ion reabsorption (water and sodium) and secretion (potassium and hydrogen).</p></li><li><p><strong>Collecting duct:</strong> Final regulation of water balance and urine concentration</p></li><li><p><strong>Renal pelvis: </strong>Collects urine and funnels it to the bladder</p></li></ul><p></p>
5
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What are the four main processes of urine formation and plasma filteration?

  • Filtration: Plasma enters the glomerulus, where water and small solutes (Na⁺, K⁺, H⁺, glucose, amino acids) from the blood are filtered into Bowman's capsule; proteins and blood cells remain in the blood.

  • Reabsorption: The nephron returns needed substances (water, Na⁺, glucose, amino acids) to the blood.

  • Secretion: Substances such as K⁺, H⁺, drugs, and toxins move from blood into the tubule.

  • Excretion: The remaining filtrate is eliminated as urine.