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• What is the primary function of the urinary system?

  To filter blood and produce urine
• What are the main components of the urinary system?

  Kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra
• How do the tissues and organs of the urinary system work together?

  They perform their roles synergistically
• What shape are the kidneys?

  Bean-shaped
• What are the three main parts of each kidney?

  Cortex, medulla, and calyces
• What is the main functional unit of the kidney?

  The nephron

  
• What is the role of the nephron?

  To remove metabolic waste and excess water
• What is the hilum of the kidney?

  The passageway for renal vessels and ureter
• What protects and cushions the kidney?

  Connective tissue capsule and perinephric fat
• What are myofibroblasts?

  Contractile cells in the renal capsule
• Where is the suprarenal gland located?

  On the kidney's superior pole
• What is the renal sinus?

  The area containing calyces, pelvis, and ureter
• What is the appearance of the renal cortex?

  Darker than the renal medulla
• Why does the renal cortex have a grainy appearance?

  It contains ovoid and coiled nephron parts
• What structures are found in the renal medulla?

  Renal pyramids and collecting ducts

  
• What forms a renal lobe?

  Each renal pyramid and surrounding cortical tissue
• What is the nephron's role in urine production?

  To create ultrafiltrate from blood
• What are the two main types of nephrons?

  Cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons
• Where are cortical nephrons located?

  Close to the kidney capsule
• What is the function of the glomerulus?

  To filter blood and form ultrafiltrate
• What is the role of podocytes in the renal corpuscle?

  To cover glomerular capillaries

  
• What is the glomerular filtration barrier composed of?

  Endothelium, basement membrane, and podocytes

  
• What do fenestrations in glomerular capillaries do?

  Function as pores for filtration
• What is the function of the renal tubule system?

  To process ultrafiltrate into urine
• What are the three parts of the renal tubule system?

  • Proximal tubule
  • Nephron loop
  • Distal tubule

  
• What is the primary function of the proximal tubule?

  To reabsorb water and molecules
• What type of epithelium is found in the proximal tubule?

  Simple cuboidal epithelium
• What is the role of the nephron loop?

  To adjust salt and water levels
• What type of epithelium is found in the nephron loop?

  Simple squamous epithelium
• What is the primary function of the distal tubule?

  To reabsorb electrolytes and secrete waste
• How does the epithelium of the distal tubule differ from the proximal tubule?

  It has less well-developed microvilli
• What are the types of collecting ducts in the kidney?

  • Cortical collecting ducts: simple cuboidal epithelium
  • Medullary collecting ducts: simple columnar epithelium
  • Papillary ducts: simple columnar epithelium
• What is the function of principal cells in the collecting ducts?

  To regulate water and sodium balance
• What is the role of aldosterone in the distal tubule?

  To regulate sodium absorption
• What happens to urine as it travels through the collecting system?

  It moves from nephrons to minor calyces
• What is the area cribrosa?

  The opening where papillary ducts release urine
• How do collecting ducts differ in structure?

  They get progressively taller as they enlarge
• What type of epithelium is found in the papillary ducts?

  Simple columnar epithelium
• What is the location of the kidneys?

  Retroperitoneal
• What does the renal pelvis do?

  Collects urine before entering the ureter