Urinary System Anatomy

Homework, write in your own words but in

appropriate sequence.
Describe diagram for detailed
Anatomy of kidney
Nephron
The nephron is the minute or microscopic
structural and functional unit of the kidney.

Four main processes are involved in the

creation of urine.
Reabsorption
Secretion

Note: Label it and describe the

diagram in detail
Secretion and reabsorption of various
substances throughout the nephron
1. afferent arteriole
branch of the renal artery

supplies blood to the glomerulus

1. glomerulus
knot of capillaries inside Bowman’s capsule
some of the blood inside turns into filtrate as it leaks out of the capillary
walls
1. Bowman’s capsule
bulbous end of the nephron

collects filtrate from the glomerulus

1. efferent arteriole
arteriole leading out of glomerulus
supplies blood to the peritubular capillary network
1. peritubular capillary network
capillary bed surrounding tubules and loop of nephron
drains into the renal venule
blood collects nutrients reabsorbed from the filtrate by the
nephron
1. proximal convoluted tubule
first part of nephron after Bowman’s capsule
reabsorbs nutrients and ions from filtrate
microvilli increase surface area and mitochondria present to
power active transport
1. loop of Henle
descending loop of the nephron
actively transports salts out of the filtrate
1. distal convoluted tubule
last part of the nephron before collecting duct
excretes substances from blood in PCN into the filtrate
1. collecting duct
collectsurine from several nephrons and carries it down into
the renal pelvis
reabsorbs water from urine
loop of Henle and collecting ducts descend down into the renal medulla
Role of kidney in Blood Pressure Regulation
Regulating Blood Pressure: The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone
System
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is a series of reactions
designed to help regulate blood pressure.
When blood pressure falls (for systolic, to 100 mm Hg or lower), the
kidneys release the enzyme renin into the bloodstream.
Renin splits angiotensinogen, a large protein that circulates in the
bloodstream, into pieces. One piece is angiotensin I.
Angiotensin I, which is relatively inactive, is split into pieces by
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). One piece is angiotensin II, a
hormone, which is very active.
Angiotensin II causes the muscular walls of small arteries
(arterioles) to constrict, increasing blood pressure. Angiotensin II
also triggers the release of the hormone aldosterone from the
adrenal glands and vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) from the
pituitary gland.
Aldosterone and vasopressin cause the kidneys to retain sodium
(salt). Aldosterone also causes the kidneys to excrete potassium.
The increased sodium causes water to be retained, thus increasing
blood volume and blood pressure.