The Renal System

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  • Created by: Bethey23
  • Created on: 24-04-21 09:27
How many kidneys are there and what shape are they?
- There are usually two kidneys
- Bean-shaped
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What are the 3 main functions of the kidneys?
- Excretion (removal of waste products from the bodily fluids)
- Elimination (releasing of these waste products out of the body)
- Homeostatic regulation (balancing volume of body fluid + solute concentrate (electrolytes) in the blood plasma)
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How many ureters are there and what is their function?
- 2
- Carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder
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What is the function of the bladder?
- It is the reservoir for the collection of urine + is emptied via the urethra
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What is the lateral surface of the kidney like + what is the medial surface like?
- Lateral = convex
- Medical = concave
- This is what gives kidneys their bean-shaped appearance
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Name the 3 tissue layers surrounding the kidneys + what is their function?
1. Renal fascia (fibrous outer layer that anchors the kidney)
2. Adipose (fat) tissue = protects from trauma
3. Renal capsule = smooth connective tissue that surrounds the whole kidney (prevents infection) spreading from kidneys to surrounding tissue + al
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Name the 3 distinct areas within the kidneys + describe them
1. Renal cortex = red/ brownish layer (underdeveloped at birth), has inwards projections called the renal columns which separate in to become renal pyramids
2. Renal medulla = the innermost layer, has pale conical shaped striations called renal pyramids.
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Name the 3 distinct areas within the kidneys + describe them (continued)
+ has extensions known as the major calyces, these sub-divide into approximately 8-18 minor calyces
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Where does urine continuously drain from + to
- The renal medulla to the minor calyces then eventually the major calyces to the renal pelvis then the ureter
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What aids the flow of urine?
- Peristaltic muscle action in the calcyes
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What is the function of a nephron?
- To form urine
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What are the 4 main areas of a nephron?
- Bowman's capsule
- Proximal convoluted tubule
- Loop of Henle
- Distal convoluted tubule
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How many types of nephrons are there?
- 2
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Name the two types of nephrons and their function
- Cortical nephrons = found entirely in the renal cortex. Their function is to perform most of the reabsorptive + secretory functions
- Juxtamedullary nephrons = have a long nephron loop + extend to the medulla. Their function is to enable the kidney to p
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What is the Bowman's capsule + what is its function?
- It is the far end of the nephron (glomerular cup)
- A capillary network forms a glomerulus
- Blood enters the glomerulus via the afferent arteriole + leaves via the efferent arteriole
- Blood is filtered. It is separated into 2 compounds: filtrate + fil
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What is the proximal convoluted tubule and what is it's function?
- Consists of millions of microvilli
- Prime function is REABSORPTION
- It reabsorbs salts, water, plasma proteins, + glucose from the filtrate
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What is the loop of Henle + what is it's function?
- There is an ascending + descending loop
- The descending end pumps sodium + chloride ions out of the fluid in the tubular
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What is the Distal convoluted tubule and what is it's function?
- Several collecting ducts form at the end draining into the minor calyx + then the major calyx + then the renal pelvis + then eventually the ureter
- The 3 key processes that occur here are = 1. active secretion of ions, acids, + drugs into the tubule. 2
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Infants glomeruli have a reduced what?
- Infants have a reduced renal plasma flow
- Therefore, the elimination of filtrate is lower
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Neonates + infants have a low what + a limited ability to concentrate what due to what?
- They have a low GFR
- Limited ability to concentrate urine
- Due to 5-factors = 1. Low renal blood flow secondary to high renal vascular resistance. 2. Low arterial perfusion resulting in low glomerular hydrostatic pressure. 3. Small glomerular surface
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What are the 3 key phases of urine formation?
1. Filtration
2. Selective reabsorption
3. Secretion
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Describe the whole process of filtration
- The process begins at the glomeruli (within the Bowman's capsule)
- Blood entering here is filtered through a process of osmosis + diffusion
- Water + small molecules pass through the capillaries. Larger molecules such as blood + plasma remain
- The wat
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Describe the whole process of filtration (continued)
- Immature function in infants means that there is limited filtration ability, + thus limited concentration of urine
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Describe the whole process of selective reabsorption
- The volume + composition of 'filtrate' is altered by selective reabsorption
- Any substance essential for maintaining homeostasis, fluid, + electrolyte balance is reabsorbed (sodium, calcium, chloride, + potassium)- this predominantly occurs in the prox
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Describe the whole process of secretion
- This is the final part of urine formation
- Secretion of substances out of the blood + into the urine, which have not been removed through filtration, such as ammonia, creatine, urea, + hormones
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What 2 main investigations are undertaken in order to assess the function of a person's kidneys?
- Blood serum (electrolytes: sodium, chloride, potassium, urea, + creatine)
- Urinalysis (nitrates, leucocytes, specific gravity, pH, glucose, ketones, blood, + protein)
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Normal ranges for blood serum tests + urinalysis depends on what?
- The laboratory
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What is the most common non-invasive investigation carried out to evaluate kidney function + presence of disease?
- Urinalysis
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What kind of sample type collection is most recommended + why?
- 'Clean-catch' urine sample
- This is recommended, because there is less risk of contamination compared with bag urine samples
- A child's genital area should be cleaned first + infants should be nappy-free when samples are obtained
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What other types of urine collection are undertaken?
- Collection from = bag urine, urine pads, catheter or suprapubic (under ultrasound guidance, however, this is less frequently used, it is most commonly used in neonatal practice for sepsis screening)
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Urinalysis sticks are less sensitive for what in children under what age?
- They are less sensitive for UTI diagnosis in children under 3 years of age
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What are the 3 main functions of the kidneys?

Back

- Excretion (removal of waste products from the bodily fluids)
- Elimination (releasing of these waste products out of the body)
- Homeostatic regulation (balancing volume of body fluid + solute concentrate (electrolytes) in the blood plasma)

Card 3

Front

How many ureters are there and what is their function?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What is the function of the bladder?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is the lateral surface of the kidney like + what is the medial surface like?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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