Kidney & Nephron Anatomy + Blood Flow

Describe the position of the kidneys against the posterior body wall

• Retroperitoneal (behind peritoneum)

• Right kidney is lower than the left

List the kidney’s functions

A WET BED

• maintenance of Acid-base balance

• maintenance of Water balance

• Electrolyte balance

• Toxin removal

• Blood pressure control

• Erythropoietin making

• Vitamin D Metabolism

What do the paired ureters do?

Transport urine from kidney to bladder

What does the urinary bladder do?

Provides temporary storage for urine, with a 700ml-800ml capacity

What does the urethra do?

The urethra transports urine from the bladder to outside the body

Describe the differences between male urethra vs. female urethra

Male urethra passes through the prostate gland and it also serves as a duct for semen

Female urethra is short in length (4 cm) and is the reason for more common urinary tract infections

Kidney Diagram

Describe the blood supply and flow of the kidney

What are the two components of the Nephron?

The vascular and tubular component

What is the vascular component?

Renal artery divides into smaller branches

Label the structures for the Nephron (tubular component)