functions of kidneys
kidney location
retroperitoneally on posterior wall of abdominal cavity on either side of vertebral column
kidney hilus
concave medial border w/ ureter, nerves, blood, and lymphatic vessels
renal sinus
large cavity surrounded by kidney parenchyma
-contains renal pelvis, loose CT, adipose, blood vessels, and nerves
renal pelvis
expansion of upper end of ureter that subdivides into minor and major calyces
kidney capsule
consists of dense irregular cT
renal cortex
darker, granular tissue
minor VS major calyces
major: arise from renal pelvis
minor: arise from major
renal medulla
lighter, striated tissue
-made of renal pyramids and medullary rays
renal pyramids
in medulla
renal lobe
renal pyramid + cortical tissue overlying its base and covering its sides
-each kidney contains 6 to 18 lobes
medullary rays
medullary tissue that projects up into cortex, consisting of collecting tubules and their accompanying proximal and distal tubules
-do NOT include renal corpuscles
renal lobule
medullary ray + surrounding cortical tissue
nephrons
functional unit of kidney
components of nephron
Bowman’s capsule components
thin-walled expansion at proximal end of nephron
components of glomerular filtration barrier
in Bowman’s capsule
what is proteinuria caused by?
release of protein into urine due to defect in glomerular filtration barrier (usually doesn’t let PRO in)
where is urinary space continuous with proximal tubule lumen?
at urinary pole of Bowman’s capsule
proximal tubule composition
convoluted (close to renal corpuscle of origin) and straight part (enters medullary ray)
how many segments can the proximal tubule be subdivided into by electron microscopy?
can be subdivided into 3 segments by electron microscopy
loop of Henle composition
descending straight proximal (simple cuboidal epithelium with brush border, like convoluted), thin segment (simple squamous, like capillary w/o blood), and ascending straight distal
-located in medulla
distal tubule composition
ascending straight portion (last part of LoH), portion adjacent to renal corpuscle of origin, and convoluted part
collecting tubules and ducts composition
tubules in cortex, and ducts in medulla