Anatomy Lecture Notes
Chapter 23
the urinary system consists of kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra
the function of the kidneys is NOT "to make urine"
the kidneys:
1) regulate water balance
2) regular ECF electrolyte levels (Na, K, Ca)
3) eliminate some metabolic wastes
urine is a by-product of these functions
A. kidneys
1. located against posterior abdominal wall (retroperitoneal)
T11 or T12 to L3
right kidney lower than left kidney
2. surrounded by
a. pararenal fat (posterior only)
b. renal fascia
c. adipose capsule - perirenal fat
d. renal capsule - dense c.t. covering surface of kidney
e. parietal peritoneum
Strong/Fall 2008
Anatomy Lecture Notes
Chapter 23
3. layers
a. cortex - contains renal corpuscles and extends inwards as renal columns
b. medulla - consists of renal pyramids which consist mostly of collecting ducts
papilla - apex of renal pyramid; where collecting ducts drain into calyx
4. cavities and associated structures
a. renal sinus - space in medial part of kidney; contains renal pelvis
b. renal pelvis - expanded superior part of ureter
minor calyx collects urine from one renal papilla
major calyx formed by junction of 2 or more minor calyces
renal pelvis formed by junction of all major calyces
Strong/Fall 2008
Anatomy Lecture Notes
Chapter 23
5. renal hilum - medial indentation; where ureter leaves kidney
6. blood flow through the kidney - renal fraction = 20% of cardiac output
aorta
renal artery
segmental arteries
lobar arteries
interlobar arteries
arcuate arteries
cortical radiate (interlobular) arteries
afferent arterioles
glomerular capillaries (glomerulus)
efferent arteriole
peritubular capillaries and vasa recta
cortical radiate (interlobular) veins
arcuate veins
interlobar veins
renal vein
inferior vena cava
Strong/Fall 2008
Anatomy Lecture Notes
Chapter 23
7. histology:
uriniferous tubule = structural and functional unit of kidney
> 1 million per kidney
components = nephron + collecting duct
nephron = renal corpuscle + 3 tubular sections
renal corpuscle = glomerular capsule + glomerular capillaries
a. glomerular (Bowman's) capsule
parietal layer - simple squamous e.
visceral layer - podocytes (branching epithelial cells)
pedicels
filtration slits
function = makes filtrate
b. proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)
epithelium is modified to have a large surface area:
simple cuboidal e. with microvilli
folded basal surface
function: reabsorbs molecules from filtrate
c. loop of the nephron (loop of Henle)
descending limb vs ascending limb
thick segment (simple cuboidal e.) vs thin segment (simple squamous e.)
categories of nephrons:
cortical nephrons (85%) - loop barely dips into medulla
juxtamedullary nephrons (15%) loop extends deep into medulla; conserve
water
Strong/Fall 2008
Anatomy Lecture Notes
Chapter 23
d. distal convoluted tubule (DCT)
epithelium - simple cuboidal e. with sparse microvilli and folded basal
surface
function: reabsorbs molecules from filtrate and secretes molecules into
filtrate
e. collecting ducts (also called collecting tubules)
receive DCT of several nephrons
extend from cortex down into medulla
form renal pyramids
terminate at renal papilla and empty into calyx
made of simple cuboidal e.
functions:
conserve water by reabsorbing it from the filtrate
carry urine to renal calyces
review of components:
glomerular capsule
proximal convoluted tubule
loop of the nephron
distal convoluted tubules
collecting duct
Strong/Fall 2008
glomerulus
Anatomy Lecture Notes
Chapter 23
review of function:
afferent arteriole
glomerular capsule
glomerulus
efferent arteriole
proximal convoluted tubule
peritubular capillaries
loop of the nephron
vasa recta
distal convoluted tubules
peritubular capillaries
collecting duct
veins
renal calyx
8. juxtaglomerular (jg) apparatus
a. jg cells of afferent arteriole
modified smooth muscle cells
mechanoreceptors that monitor blood pressure
secrete renin when blood pressure is low
b. macula densa cells of DCT
modified epithelial cells
chemoreceptors that monitor filtrate composition
signal JG cells when filtrate solute concentration is low
c. overall effect: increase blood pressure when renal pressure is too low
Strong/Fall 2008
Anatomy Lecture Notes
Chapter 23
9. the filtration membrane has three layers:
a. capillary endothelium fenestra have no membranes (diaphragm)
b. basement membrane
c. podocytes
filtration slits covered by diaphragm
functions:
it permits the free passage of small molecules
it filters plasma as it passes through the kidney
the filtrate collects in the glomerular capsule
B. ureters
begin as a continuation of the renal pelvis medially out of kidney
run retroperitoneally towards the urinary bladder
join the urinary bladder at its posterolateral corners
angle prevents backflow
structure:
mucosa - transitional e.
muscularis - two layers of smooth m.; peristalsis propels urine
adventitia - c.t.
C. urinary bladder
1. location:
posterior to pubic symphysis
anterior to:
vagina and uterus in females
rectum in males
2. the opening into the urethra is located anterior to the openings of the ureters
trigone = triangular area formed by openings of ureters and urethra
3. structure:
a. mucosa - transitional e.
b. muscularis (called detrusor m.) - 3 layers of smooth m.
c. adventitia (c.t.) and serosa (visceral peritoneum)
Strong/Fall 2008
Anatomy Lecture Notes
Chapter 23
4. function - stores urine
at about 300 mL, stretch receptors initiate micturition reflex and notify cerebrum
can hold 500 mL to 1 L
5. urethral sphincters
a. internal = smooth m. surrounding opening to urethra; involuntary
b. external = skeletal m. surrounding urethra below urinary bladder; voluntary
D. urethra
function: drains urine from urinary bladder
structure:
mucosa - transitional e. near urinary bladder
changes to stratified squamous e. near orifice
muscularis
adventitia
in females 3 to 4 cm long
bound to anterior wall of vagina
orifice located anterior to vaginal opening
in males prostatic urethra inside prostate gland just inferior to urinary bladder
membranous urethra inside urogenital diaphragm
spongy/penile urethra inside corpus spongiosum of penis
orifice at end of penis
shared by urinary and reproductive systems
Strong/Fall 2008