Biology 235 Human Anatomy and Physiology

Study Guide

Chapter 26
The Urinary System

Objectives

After completing this chapter, you should be able to

  1. list the functions of the kidneys.
  2. describe the internal and external gross anatomical features of the kidneys.
  3. describe the structure of a nephron and collecting duct, and the neighbouring blood vessels associated with a nephron.
  4. identify the three basic functions performed by the nephrons and collecting ducts, and indicate where each occurs.
  5. describe the filtration membrane.
  6. discuss the pressures that promote and oppose glomerular filtration.
  7. describe the routes and mechanisms of tubular reabsorption and secretion.
  8. describe how specific segments of the renal tubule and collecting duct reabsorb water and solutes.
  9. describe how specific segments of the renal tubule and collecting duct secrete solutes into the urine.
  10. describe how the renal tubules and collecting ducts produce dilute and concentrated urine.
  11. define urinalysis and describe its importance.
  12. define renal plasma clearance and describe its importance.
  13. describe the anatomy, histology and physiology of the ureters, urinary bladder and urethra.
  14. describe related disorders and medical terminology

Keywords and Topics

Make certain that you can define, and use in context, each of the terms listed below, and that you understand the significance of each of the concepts.

  1. List the functions of the kidneys.
    1. functions of the kidneys
  2. Describe the internal and external gross anatomical features of the kidneys.
    1. kidney anatomy, position (retroperitoneal) and histology
      1. renal hilum (hilus)
      2. renal capsule
      3. adipose capsule
      4. renal fascia
      5. renal cortex
        1. cortical zone
        2. juxtamedullary zone
      6. renal medulla
      7. renal pyramids
      8. renal papilla
      9. renal columns
      10. renal lobe
      11. parenchyma
  3. Describe the structure of a nephron and collecting duct, and the neighbouring blood vessels associated with a nephron.
    1. nephrons
    2. papillary ducts
    3. minor calyx (plural is calyces)
    4. major calyx
    5. renal pelvis
    6. renal sinus
    7. blood and nerve supply
      1. renal artery
      2. afferent arteriole
      3. glomerulus
      4. efferent arteriole
      5. peritubular capillaries
      6. vasa recta
      7. renal vein
      8. renal ganglion
      9. renal plexus
    8. nephron
      1. renal corpuscle
      2. glomerulus
      3. glomerular capsule or Bowman’s capsule
      4. renal tubule
      5. proximal convoluted tubule or PCT
      6. loop of Henle or nephron loop
      7. descending limb of the loop of Henle
      8. ascending limb of the loop of Henle
      9. distal convoluted tubule or DCT
      10. collecting duct
      11. papillary duct
      12. cortical nephron
      13. juxtamedullary nephron
      14. thin ascending limb of the loop of Henle
      15. thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle
    9. histology
    10. glomerular capsule
    11. podocyte
    12. capsular space or Bowman’s space
    13. renal tubule and collecting duct
    14. macula densa
    15. juxtaglomerular (JG) cells
    16. juxtaglomerular apparatus or JGA
    17. principal cells
    18. intercalated cells
  4. Identify the three basic functions performed by the nephrons and collecting ducts, and indicate where each occurs.
    1. renal physiology
      1. glomerular filtration
      2. tubular reabsorption
      3. tubular secretion
  5. Describe the filtration membrane.
    1. glomerular filtration
      1. glomerular filtrate
      2. filtration fraction
      3. filtration membrane
      4. fenestrations
      5. pedicels
      6. filtration slits
      7. slit membrane
      8. principle of filtration
  6. Discuss the pressures that promote and oppose glomerular filtration.
    1. net filtration pressure (NFP)
      1. glomerular blood hydrostatic pressure (GBHP)
      2. capsular hydrostatic pressure (CHP)
      3. blood colloid osmotic pressure (BCOP)
    2. glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
      1. regulation of GFR
      2. renal autoregulation of GFR
      3. myogenic mechanism
      4. tubuloglomerular feedback
      5. neural regulation of GFR
      6. hormonal regulation of GFR
      7. angiotensin II
      8. atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
  7. Describe the routes and mechanisms of tubular reabsorption and secretion.
    1. tubular reabsorption and tubular secretion
      1. principles of reabsorption and secretion
      2. reabsorption routes
      3. transport mechanisms
      4. primary and secondary active transport
      5. transport maximum (Tm)
  8. Describe how specific segments of the renal tubule and collecting duct reabsorb water and solutes.
    1. obligatory water reabsorption
    2. facultative water reabsorption
  9. Describe how specific segments of the renal tubule and collecting duct secrete solutes into the urine.
    1. reabsorption and secretion in the proximal convoluted tubule
    2. secretion of NH3 and NH4+ in the proximal convoluted tubule
    3. reabsorption in the loop of Henle
    4. reabsorption in the early distal convoluted tubule
    5. reabsorption and secretion in the late distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct
    6. hormonal regulation of tubular reabsorption and tubular secretion
    7. renin angiotensin aldosterone system
    8. renin
    9. angiotensin II
    10. aldosterone
    11. antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin
    12. atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
    13. parathyroid hormone (PTH)
  10. Describe how the renal tubules and collecting ducts produce dilute and concentrated urine.
    1. production of dilute and concentrated urine
    2. formation of dilute urine
    3. formation of concentrated urine
    4. osmotic gradient
    5. countercurrent mechanism—general
  11. Define urinalysis and describe its importance.
    1. evaluation of kidney functionx
      1. urinalysis
      2. blood tests
  12. Define renal plasma clearance and describe its importance.
    1. renal plasma clearance
  13. Describe the anatomy, histology and physiology of the ureters, urinary bladder and urethra.
    1. urine transportation, storage and elimination
    2. ureters (including structure)
    3. urinary bladder
      1. anatomy and histology
      2. trigone
      3. internal urethral orifice
      4. mucosa
      5. transitional epithelium
      6. lamina propria
      7. muscularis
      8. detrusor muscle
      9. internal urethral sphincter
      10. external urethral sphincter
      11. adventitia and serosa
    4. micturition reflex
    5. micturition centre
    6. urethra
    7. external urethral orifice
    8. female urethra
    9. male urethra
    10. prostatic urethra
    11. membranous urethra
    12. spongy urethra
    13. waste management in other body systems
  14. Describe related disorders and medical terminology.
    1. disorders
      1. renal calculi or kidney stones
      2. urinary tract infections (UTI)
      3. glomerular diseases
      4. renal failure
      5. polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
      6. urinary bladder cancer
    2. medical terminology
      1. enuresis
      2. intravenous pyelogram or IVP
      3. polyuria
      4. urinary retention

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