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Structure and Function of the Kidneys
Objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, the student should be able to answer the following questions :
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Which structures in the glomerulus are filtration barriers to plasma proteins?
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What is the physiologic significance of the juxtaglomerular apparatus?
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Which blood vessels supply the kidneys?
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Which nerves innervate the kidneys?
In addition, the student should be able to describe the following :
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The location of the kidneys and their gross anatomic features
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The different parts of the nephron and their locations within the cortex and medulla
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The components of the glomerulus and the cell types located in each component
Key Terms
Cortex
Medulla
Nephrons
Renal pyramids
Minor calyx
Major calyces
Pelvis
Urinary bladder
Interlobar artery
Arcuate artery
Interlobular artery
Afferent arteriole
Glomerular capillaries
Efferent arteriole
Peritubular capillaries
Interlobular vein
Arcuate vein
Interlobar vein
Renal vein
Renal corpuscle
Proximal tubule
Loop of Henle
Distal tubule
Collecting duct systems
Bowman’s capsule
Descending thin limb (of Henle)
Ascending thin limb (of Henle)
Thick ascending limb (of Henle)
Macula densa
Glomerulus
Cortical collecting duct
Outer medullary collecting duct
Inner medullary collecting duct
Brush border
Principal cells
Intercalated cells
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
Superficial nephrons
Juxtamedullary nephrons
Vasa recta
Collecting ducts
Bowman’s space
Podocytes
Visceral layer
Parietal layer
Filtration barrier
Filtration slits
Filtration slit diaphragm
Nephrin (NPHS1)
NEPH-1
Podocin (NPHS2)
CD2-AP
α-actinin 4 (ACTN4)
Proteinuria
Alport’s syndrome
Mesangium
Mesangial cells
Mesangial matrix
Extraglomerular mesangial cells
Immune complex–mediated glomerular disease
Juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA)
Renin
Angiotensin II
Aldosterone
Nephrotic syndrome
Structure and function are closely linked in the kidneys. Consequently, an appreciation of the gross anatomic and histologic features of the kidneys is a prerequisite for an understanding of their functions.
Structure of the Kidneys
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