Urinary System

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  • Describe the structure of a nephron and state the functions of each part
    • Types of nephrons
      • Cortical nephron: The glomerulus is located close to the outer part of the cortex; mainly regulatory and excretory
      • Juxtamedullary nephron: The glomerulus is located near the junction of the renal cortex and medulla; main function is to concentrated and dilute urine
    • Renal Corpuscle
      • Glomerulus: Ultrafiltration
        • Afferent arteriole: Supplies the glomerulus for ultrafiltration
        • Glomerular capillaries
        • Mesangial cell: Phagocytosis
        • Efferent arteriole: Drains the glomerulus
      • Bowman’s capsule
        • Parietal surface: Made of simple squamous epithelium
        • Visceral surface: Formed by podocytes
        • Bowman’s space: Collects the ultrafiltrate and is continuous with the lumen of the proximal tubule
    • Renal tubules: Distinct functions
      • Proximal Convoluted Tubule
      • Proximal Straight Tubule
      • Descending thin Limb
      • Ascending thin limb
      • Thick ascending limb
      • Distal convoluted tubule
      • Connecting tubule
      • Collecting duct
  • Briefly outline the components of the glomerular filtration barrier
    • Fenestrated capillary endothelium
    • Glomerular basement membrane
    • Podocyte foot processes with filtration slits and diaphragm
    • Glycocalyx
    • Subpodocyte space
  • Outline the components and functions of the Juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA).
    • Juxtaglomerular cells – detect blood pressure, renin secretion
    • Macula densa cell – Sense Na+ concentration in the distal tubules
    • Lacis (Extraglomerular mesangial) cells – Phagocytes
  • Briefly describe the histological characteristics of the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT).
    • Simple cuboidal Epithelium
    • Brush border (microvilli)
    • Junctional complexes – tight junctions and zonula adherens
    • Plicae on the lateral surfaces
    • Extensive interdigitation of basal processes
    • Basal striations (elongated mitochondria)
Jeffrey Kalei
Jeffrey Kalei
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