Renal System Vocabulary Flashcards

Renal Structure and Components

  • Renal Capsule:

    • The outer layer of the kidney which helps protect it from injury and acts as a barrier to infections.

  • Kidney:

    • Paired organs that filter blood, remove waste, and regulate fluids, electrolytes, and pH.

  • Adrenal Glands:

    • Endocrine glands located on top of each kidney that produce hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.

  • Hilus:

    • The area on the kidney where blood vessels, nerves, and the ureter enter and exit.

Vasculature of the Kidney

  • Arteries and Veins:
    • Abdominal Aorta: Main artery supplying blood to the kidneys.
    • Renal Arteries: Branch from the abdominal aorta to carry oxygenated blood to the kidneys.
    • Renal Veins: Drain deoxygenated blood from the kidneys back to the inferior vena cava.
    • Inferior Vena Cava: Returns deoxygenated blood to the heart.

Urinary System Structure

  • Ureters:

    • Tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

  • Urinary Bladder:

    • A muscular sac that stores urine before it is excreted.

  • Urethra:

    • A tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Includes:
    • Internal Urethral Orifice: Point of entry into the urethra from the bladder.
    • External Urethral Orifice: Opening at the distal end of the urethra.

Renal Anatomy

  • Renal Medulla:
    • Inner layer of the kidney, containing structures involved in urine concentration.
  • Renal Cortex:
    • Outermost layer where the renal corpuscles (filtering units) are located.
  • Renal Pyramids:
    • Triangular structures in the medulla, containing the nephrons.
  • Renal Columns:
    • Extensions of the cortex between the renal pyramids.

Circulation within the Kidney

  • Segmental Arteries and Veins:
    • Branches of the renal arteries and veins that further subdivide.
  • Arcuate Artery and Vein:
    • Arteries and veins that arch over the pyramids, serving as a junction between the interlobar and interlobular arteries.
  • Interlobar and Interlobular Arteries:
    • Deliver blood to the nephrons.
  • Afferent Arterioles:
    • Small blood vessels that deliver blood to the glomerulus.
  • Efferent Arterioles:
    • Carry blood away from the glomerulus.

Nephron Structure

  • Renal Corpuscle:
    • The filtering part of the nephron, composed of the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule.
  • Proximal Convoluted Tubule:
    • The segment of the nephron responsible for reabsorbing water, electrolytes, and nutrients.
  • Loop of Henle:
    • Consists of a descending and ascending limb, crucial for generating osmotic gradients.
  • Distal Convoluted Tubule:
    • Further adjusts electrolyte concentrations and pH.
  • Collecting Duct:
    • Final structure for concentration of urine before entering the renal pelvis.

Urinary Collection System

  • Minor Calyces:
    • Small cavities that collect urine from the pyramids.
  • Major Calyces:
    • Formed from multiple minor calyces; empty into the renal pelvis.
  • Renal Pelvis:
    • Funnel-shaped structure that channels urine from the kidney into the ureter for transport to the bladder.