Kidney Structure

• hilum


  entry point for the artery, vein, and ureter in the kidney

  
• kidney


  organ that removes urea, excess water, and other waste products from the blood and passes them to the ureter

  
• renal artery


  an artery originating from the abdominal aorta and supplying the kidneys and adrenal glands and ureters

  
• inferior vena cava


  a vein that is the largest vein in the human body and returns blood to the right atrium of the heart from bodily parts below the diaphragm.

  
• ureters


  the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

  
• urinary bladder


  saclike organ in which urine is stored before being excreted

  
• urethra


  tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body

  
• renal medulla


  inner portion of the kidney that consists of renal pyramids

  
• major calyx


  the cavity formed by the convergence of several minor calyces, which drain urine from the minor calyxes into the renal pelvis

  
• renal pelvis


  funnel-shaped reservoir that collects the urine and passes it to the ureter

  
• renal pyramid


  triangular-shaped division of the medulla of the kidney

  
• nephrons


  filtering units of the kidney that remove wastes from the blood and produce urine

  
• minor calyx


  a cup-shaped extension of the pelvis that encircles the apex of a pyramid

  
• renal cortex


  outer layer of the kidney containing the glomeruli and the convoluted tubules

  
• peritubular capillary


  one of the tiny blood vessels that form a network surrounding the proximal and distal tubules in the kidney

  
• glomerulus

  small network of capillaries encased in the upper end of a nephron; where the filtration of blood takes place

  
• afferent arteriole


  The small artery that carries blood toward the capillaries of the glomerulus.

  
• efferent arteriole


  The small artery that carries blood away from the capillaries of the glomerulus.(number 14 in picture)

  
• glomerular capsule


  Enclosing structure surrounding each glomerulus. The glomerular capsule is also known as Bowman's capsule and it collects the material that is filtered from the blood through the walls of the glomerulus.(number 15 in picture)

  
• nephron loop


  second part of tubule that dips into the medulla; reabsorbs water and salt (sodium and chloride ions); aka, loop of Henle (number 16 in picture)

  
• proximal convoluted tubule


  first section of the renal tubule that the blood flows through; reabsorption of water, ions, and all organic nutrients (number 17 in picture)

  
• distal convoluted tubule


  Between the loop of Henle and the collecting duct; Selective reabsorption and secretion occur here, most notably to regulate reabsorption of water and sodium(number 10 in picture)

  
• collecting duct


  the location in the kidney where processed filtrate, called urine, is collected from the renal tubules
• Angiotensin


  Substance produced by renin that causes some vasoconstriction.
• ADH


  antidiuretic hormone
• Renin


  hormone secreted by the kidney; it raises blood pressure by influencing vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels)