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Urinary System
For BIO 202 Lab
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Fibrous Capsule | Connective tissue that envelops each kidney and supports the structures that are inside |
Hilum | Fissure where the ureter and the kidney's nerves and vessels pass |
Cortex | The outer portion of the kidney, located between the renal capsule and the renal medulla. |
Medulla | The inner portion of the kidney, which are split into a number of renal pyramids that filter the blood and remove wastes. |
Renal Sinus | Cavity inside the kidney that contains adipose tissue, nerves, and vessels. The fat here protects the kidney from injury. |
Minor Calyx | Chamber that surrounds the apex of the renal pyramids, collecting the urine that is made from the pyramids. |
Major Calyx | Structure that is made of several minor calyces combined. Urine passes through here before continuing through the renal pelvis into the ureter. |
Renal Pelvis | Funnel-like portion of the ureter in the kidney, formed by the convergence of the major calyces. Urine passes through here before ultimately going into the ureter. |
Renal Pyramid | Portions of the kidney that are shaped like cones that collects urine and transports urine to the minor calyces |
Renal Papilla | The apex of the renal pyramid, where collecting ducts discharge urine and transport it to the minor calyces |
Renal Column | A medullary extension of the renal cortex found between the renal pyramids, which anchors the cortex. |
Ureter | Long tubes made of smooth muscle that sends urine from the kidneys down to the bladder. |
Urethra | Hollow tube that takes urine from the urinary bladder out of the body |
Urinary Bladder | A storage tank that holds urine for micturition |
Renal Corpuscle | The filtering unit of the nephron, composed of the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule. |
Glomerulus | Networks of small capillaries held together in a clump found at the beginning of the nephron, where blood plasma is filtered to be processed by the nephron. |
Glomerular Capsule | Bowman's capsule; a cup-like sac at the start of the nephron that performs the first step of filtration. |
Proximal Convoluted Tubule | The segment of the nephron which begins from the renal pole of the Glomerular capsule to the beginning of the nephron loop, which helps with regulating the pH of the filtrate. |
Nephron Loop | Loop of Henle; loop of the nephron that serves to create a urea concentration gradient in the medulla, which reabsorbs water and concentrates urine. |
Descending limb of Nephron Loop | Thin, first portion of the Loop of Henle that dramatically increases urine concentration of the filtrate. |
Ascending limb of Nephron Loop | Portion of the Loop of Henle that directly continues from the Descending Limb, which reabsorbs ions. |
Distal Convoluted Tubule | Portion of the nephron that is between the Loop of Henle and the collecting duct, which is responsible for regulating sodium, potassium, and calcium ions and pH |
Collecting Duct | Receives filtrate from the nephrons and passes it on to the renal pyramids |
Renal Artery | Paired arteries that supply blood to the kidneys, normally arising at a 90 degree angle from the left interior abdominal aorta |
Renal Vein | Large veins that drain the filtered blood from the kidneys, arising at a 90 degree angle from the inferior vena cava |
Segmental Artery | Branches of the renal arteries, located inside of the kidneys |
Interlobular Artery | Arteries of the kidneys that supply the renal lobes (renal pyramid plus the cortex above it), which give rise to the arcuate arteries. |
Interlobular Vein | Veins in the cortex of the kidney that empty into the arcuate veins. |
Arcuate Artery | Arteries located at the border of the renal cortex and renal medulla, named after the fact that they are shaped in arcs. Arises from the renal interlobar arteries. |
Arcuate Vein | Veins located at the border of the renal cortex and the renal medulla, named after the fact that they are shaped in arcs. |
Cortical Radiate Artery | Arteries that arise from the arcuate arteries that supply the renal cortex with blood. |
Cortical Radiate Vein | Veins that drain blood from the renal cortex into the arcuate veins, then into the interlobar veins, before exiting via renal vein. |
Afferent Arteriole | Arteriole that feeds blood to the glomerulus for filtration |