Urinary Anatomy & Histology

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering urinary anatomy and histology, focusing on key structures, functions, and histological features.

What are the major anatomical parts of the kidney?

Kidney, fibrous capsule, renal pyramid, renal pelvis, minor calyx, major calyx, renal papillae, renal column, renal cortex, renal medulla, renal hilum.

What structure surrounds the kidneys?

The fibrous capsule.

What is the function of the renal pyramid?

To facilitate the concentration of urine.

What is the renal pelvis?

The funnel-shaped structure that collects urine from the calyces.

What are minor calyx and major calyx?

Minor calyx collects urine from renal papillae, major calyx collects urine from minor calyx.

What are renal papillae?

The tips of the renal pyramids that project into the minor calyx.

What does the renal column contain?

Cortical tissue that separates the renal pyramids.

What is found in the renal cortex?

The outer layer of the kidney containing renal corpuscles and convoluted tubules.

What is the renal medulla?

The inner region of the kidney containing renal pyramids.

What is the renal hilum?

The entry and exit point for blood vessels and ureters.

What consists of the renal corpuscle?

Glomerulus and glomerular capsule.

What is the function of the glomerulus?

To filter blood and form urine.

What are the afferent and efferent arterioles?

Afferent arteriole brings blood to glomerulus, efferent arteriole carries blood away.

What is Bowman’s space?

The space between the glomerulus and glomerular capsule that collects filtrate.

Who are podocytes?

Cells in the glomerular capsule that help filter blood.

What is the juxtaglomerular apparatus?

Structure that regulates blood pressure and filtration rate.

What is macula densa?

A group of cells in the distal convoluted tubule that sense sodium levels.

What are the parts of the renal tubule?

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

What is the function of the proximal convoluted tubule?

Reabsorbs water, ions, and nutrients from filtrate.

What are the functions of the loop of Henle?

Concentrates urine by reabsorbing water and salts.

What is found in the distal convoluted tubule?

Further reabsorption of ions and regulation of pH.

What is the collecting duct's role?

Final concentration of urine before it enters the renal pelvis.

What is the difference between juxtamedullary and cortical nephrons?

Juxtamedullary nephrons have longer loops of Henle compared to cortical nephrons.

What do the renal artery and vein do?

Renal artery supplies blood to the kidney, renal vein carries blood away.

What is the segmental artery?

The artery that branches off the renal artery.

What are interlobar arteries and veins?

Vessels running between the renal pyramids.

What are arcuate arteries and veins?

Arteries and veins that arch over the base of the renal pyramids.

What do cortical radiate arteries and veins supply?

They supply blood to the renal cortex.

What are peritubular capillaries?

Capillaries that surround renal tubules for exchange.

What is vasa recta?

Specialized capillaries associated with the loop of Henle.

What connects the kidneys to the bladder?

Ureters.

What is the internal urethral sphincter?

Muscle that controls the flow of urine from the bladder.

What role does the prostate gland play in males?

Provides fluids for semen and contributes to urine control.

What are the parts of the male urethra?

Prostatic urethra and spongy urethra.

What is the function of the female urethra?

To conduct urine from the bladder to outside the body.

What surrounds the bladder?

Detrusor muscle.

What are rugae in the bladder?

Folds that allow the bladder to expand.

What additional structure surrounds the urethra in both genders?

External urethral sphincter.

What is a renal capsule?

The outer protective layer of the kidney.

What happens during kidney dissection?

Identifying parts like the renal pyramid, renal pelvis, and ureters.

What are the functions of the kidney?

Filtration of blood, regulation of fluid balance, electrolyte balance.

What does the nephron do?

Basic functional unit of the kidney responsible for urine formation.

What is the role of glomerular capsule?

Encapsulates the glomerulus and collects filtrate.

What do podocytes do in the kidney?

Form part of the filtration barrier in the renal corpuscle.

What is the significance of transitional epithelium in the bladder?

Allows for stretching as the bladder fills.

What is examined under a microscope at 4X objective?

Cortex and medulla.

What specific components are examined at 40X objective in the kidney?

Corpuscle, glomerulus, capsule, Bowman’s space.

What are the histology features of the bladder at 4X?

Epithelium and detrusor muscle.

What are the histological features observed at 40X in bladder tissue?

Transitional epithelium.