Ch 26: Urinary System

Objectives Identify and describe the components of the urinary system and their function

Describe the (histological) organization of the nephron

Identify the blood vessels that supply blood to the nephrons Describe the blood flow through and around the nephron

Functions of Urinary System (Kidneys):

Regulate fluid balance (fluid volume) of the body Excrete organic waste products and conserve nutrients, etc Stabilize pH Regulate ion concentrations in the blood

Kidney Location
Lateral to vertebral column high on body wall, under floating ribs in retro-peritoneal position

Surface Anatomy
Size of bar of soap Bean shaped Hilus indentation

Three layers Renal fascia fibrous tunic Adipose capsule protects kidney Renal capsule anchors kidney to body wall, continuous with peritoneum

Sectional Anatomy
Cortex: outer layer, light reddish brow, granular appearance (due to many capillaries) Medulla: darker striped appearance (due to tubules) Subdivided into distinct renal pyramids, terminating with a papilla. Separated by renal columns from the cortex.

Fig 26-3

Urine collection:
Ducts within each renal papilla release urine into minor calyx
major calyx

renal pelvis

ureter

Renal Circulation
Renal Artery Segmental arteries Interlobar arteries Arcuate arteries Interlobular arteries Afferent arterioles Glomerulus Efferent arterioles Peritubular capillaries Renal Vein Segmental veins Interlobar veins Arcuate veins Interlobular veins Venules

Fig 26-4

Functional unit: Nephron

(>mio/kidney)

Renal corpuscle:
Fig 26-8 Glomerulus Bowmans capsule

Tubular passageways with associated blood vessels:

PCT LOH DCT CD

Fig 26-6

Filtration: Passage across Three Barriers Fig 26-8

Capillary endothelium
Fenestrated What gets through?

Basement membrane
Glomerular epithelium (= visceral layer of Bowmans capsule)
slit pores between pedicels of podocyte

Two Types of Nephrons

Cortical nephrons (85%) shorter, mostly in cortex of kidney, produce "standard" urine
Juxtamedullary nephrons (15%), "juxta-next-to" the medulla - responsive to ADH, can concentrate urine

Juxtaglomerular Apparatus
Macula densa + Juxtaglomerular cells
(smooth muscle fibers from afferent arteriole)

= Juxtaglomerular Apparatus

= Endocrine system structure (renin and EPO)

Urine Transport, Storage, and Elimination

Trace drop of urine from kidneys to outside world

Lining of these parts? Nephroptosis (= floating kidneys) Nephrolithiasis

Nephrolithiasis
Occurs when urine becomes too concentrated and substances crystalize. Symptoms arise when stones begin to move down ureter causing intense pain.

Kidney stones may form in the pelvis or calyces of the kidney or in the ureter.

Anatomy of Urinary Bladder

Retroperitoneal, behind pubis Internal folds - rugae - permit expansion (max. holding capacity ~ 1L) Trigone - area at base delineated by openings of ureters and urethra - without muscle Internal urethral sphincter - involuntary sphincter

Histology 1. transitional epithelium 2. detrusor muscle smooth muscle

Fig 26.10

Urethra
External urethral sphincters voluntary at pelvic floor Female - short from base of bladder to vestibule Male 1. prostatic urethra from base of bladder through prostate gland 2. membranous urethra between prostate gland & base of penis 3. penile (spongy) urethra traverses penis to orifice

Male versus Female

UTIs (esp. E.coli)

The End

Kidneys may sustain 90% loss of nephrons and still not show apparent symptoms!!! 2-4 % of population only have 1 kidney!

Manneken Pis Fountain Brussels, 1619