anatomy of kidney

• kidneys receive oxygenated blood via renal arteries

• blood filtered in kidneys + urine passes into ureters, then to bladder

• urine stored in bladder, removed via urethra.

• renal vein returns filtered blood to heart through vena cava

• Fibrous capsule: outer membrane protecting kidney.

• Renal cortex: outer region w Bowman's capsules, convoluted tubules + blood vessels

• Renal medulla: inner region w pyramids, loops of Henle, collecting ducts + blood vessels

• Renal pelvis: funnel-shaped cavity collecting urine into ureters.

structure and function of nephrons

• Each kidney has ~1 million nephrons.

• they filter blood, reabsorb useful substances + remove waste

how filtrate moves through nephron structures:

1. Bowman's capsule: surrounds glomerulus, where filtrate forms

2. Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT): reabsorbs water, glucose + salts

3. Loop of Henle: creates solute gradient to help reabsorption

4. Distal convoluted tubule (DCT): fine-tunes water balance under influence of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

5. Collecting duct: final reabsorption of water before urine passes to bladder

blood vessels associated w nephron

• Afferent arteriole: supplies blood to glomerulus.

• Glomerulus: performs ultrafiltration, forcing fluid → Bowman's capsule

• Efferent arteriole: carries blood away from glomerulus.

• Capillaries around proximal + distal convoluted tubule + loop of Henle absorb salts, glucose, water