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Urinary System and Kidney Function - Anatomy & Physiology

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Termini in questo insieme (20)

  • Organs of the urinary system
    The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.
  • General functions of the urinary system
    Filters blood to remove waste, regulates blood volume and pressure, controls electrolyte and acid-base balance, and produces urine.
  • Location of the kidneys
    The kidneys are located retroperitoneally on either side of the vertebral column, between the T12 and L3 vertebrae.
  • Structure of the kidney
    Each kidney has an outer cortex, inner medulla with renal pyramids, and a renal pelvis that collects urine.
  • Functions of the kidneys
    Filter blood, regulate fluid and electrolyte balance, maintain acid-base homeostasis, produce hormones like erythropoietin, and activate vitamin D.
  • Pathway of blood flow through the kidney
    Renal artery → segmental arteries → interlobar arteries → arcuate arteries → cortical radiate arteries → afferent arterioles → glomerulus → efferent arterioles → peritubular capillaries/vasa recta → cortical radiate veins → arcuate veins → interlobar veins → renal vein.
  • Definition of a nephron
    The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming urine.
  • Major parts of a nephron
    Renal corpuscle (glomerulus and Bowman's capsule), proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct.
  • How glomerular filtrate is produced
    Blood pressure forces plasma and small solutes through the glomerular capillaries into Bowman's capsule, forming filtrate.
  • Composition of glomerular filtrate
    Similar to blood plasma but without large proteins and blood cells.
  • Factors affecting glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
    Blood pressure, blood flow, filtration membrane permeability, and neural/hormonal regulation.
  • Role of tubular reabsorption
    Reclaims water and solutes from the filtrate back into the blood to maintain homeostasis.
  • Osmotic concentration changes in filtrate through renal tubule
    Filtrate becomes more concentrated in the descending loop of Henle and more dilute in the ascending loop.
  • Role of tubular secretion
    Active transport of substances from blood into the tubular fluid to eliminate wastes and regulate pH.
  • Countercurrent mechanism in urine concentration
    A system where filtrate flows in opposite directions in adjacent tubules, creating a gradient that concentrates urine.
  • Structures of the ureters
    Muscular tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.
  • Structure of the urinary bladder
    A hollow, muscular organ that stores urine until micturition.
  • Structure of the urethra
    A tube that conducts urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
  • Process of micturition
    The bladder contracts and the urethral sphincters relax to expel urine.
  • Control of micturition
    Involves voluntary and involuntary nervous system control of the detrusor muscle and urethral sphincters.