Structure of Kidney

• How many kidneys do humans have?

  Two kidneys
• What is one function of the kidneys as an osmoregulatory organ?

  Regulate the water content of the blood
• What is one function of the kidneys as an excretory organ?

  Excrete toxic waste products like urea
• What surrounds the kidney?

  A tough outer layer known as the fibrous capsule
• What are the three main areas of the kidney beneath the fibrous capsule?

  • Cortex
  • Medulla
  • Renal pelvis
• What structures are contained in the cortex of the kidney?

  Glomerulus, Bowman’s capsule, and tubules
• What structures are contained in the medulla of the kidney?

  Loop of Henle and collecting duct
• What is the renal pelvis?

  Where the ureter joins the kidney
• What is the functional unit of the kidney?

  The nephron
• What is the primary role of nephrons?

  Formation of urine
• What is the structure and blood supply associated with a nephron?

  • Contains Bowman’s capsule and glomerulus
  • Supplied by afferent arteriole from renal artery
  • Blood flows into efferent arteriole
  • Capillaries run alongside nephron
  • Blood eventually flows into renal vein
• What is the role of the glomerulus in the nephron?

  Filters blood within the Bowman’s capsule
• What does the afferent arteriole do?

  Carries blood from the renal artery
• What happens to blood in the glomerulus?

  It is filtered into the Bowman’s capsule
• What forms after the capillaries of the glomerulus rejoin?

  An efferent arteriole
• Where does blood flow after the efferent arteriole?

  Into a network of capillaries alongside the nephron
• Where does blood from the capillaries eventually flow?

  Into the renal vein
• Structure of Excretory System

  A) vena cava

  B) aorta

  C) renal artery

  D) ureter

  E) kidney

  F) kidney

  G) renal vein

  H) ureter

  I) bladder

  J) urethra

  
• Renal Artery

  carries oxygenated blood (containing urea and salts) to kidneys
• Renal Vein

  Carries deoxygenated blood (that has had urea and excess salts removed) away from kidneys
• Kidney

  Regulates water content of blood and filters blood
• Ureter

  Carries urine from kidneys to bladder
• Bladder

  Stores urine temporarily
• Urethra

  Releases urine outside of the body
• Cross section of kidney

  A) cortex

  B) fibrous capsule

  C) medulla

  D) branch of renal vein

  E) branch of renal artery

  F) ureter

  G) renal pelvis

  
• Location of nephron

  A) cortex

  B) renal pelvis

  C) ureter

  D) medulla

  E) nephron

  
• Blood supply associated with nephron

  A) efferent arteriole

  B) glomerulus

  C) afferent arteriole

  D) from renal artery

  E) to renal vein

  F) loop of henle

  G) collecting duct

  
• Structure of Nephron

  A) proximal convoluted tubule

  B) distal convoluted tubule

  C) collecting duct

  D) renal pelvis

  E) loop of henle

  F) glomerulus

  G) bowman's capsule

  H) cortex

  I) medulla