12 The Urinary System Free Online FlashCards

What structures make up the urinary tract?

The urinary tract consists of two kidneys, two ureters, the urinary bladder, and the urethra.

How are the kidney’s cortex and medulla arranged?

The cortex is the kidney’s outer region, and the medulla is its inner region. Nephrons extend through these regions.

What structures form a renal corpuscle?

A renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus, a capillary filter, enclosed within a capsule.

How does blood enter and leave a kidney?

A renal artery brings blood into each kidney, and a renal vein carries blood away.

What route does urine take from the kidney out of the body?

Urine flows from collecting ducts to the renal pelvis, down a ureter to the bladder, and out through the urethra.

What happens during kidney filtration?

Filtration occurs when blood pressure pushes water and small dissolved substances from glomerular capillaries into the nephron. Blood cells and most proteins normally remain in the bloodstream.

What is reabsorption in a nephron?

Reabsorption returns needed water and substances such as glucose and ions from the tubule to the blood.

What happens during nephron secretion?

During secretion, the tubule moves additional substances from the blood into the filtrate, helping remove wastes and regulate ions and acidity.

Where do urea and creatinine come from?

Urea is produced by protein breakdown, while creatinine comes from muscle metabolism. Both are wastes excreted in urine.

How does ADH affect urine when the body needs to conserve water?

ADH signals the later nephron and collecting ducts to reabsorb more water, producing a smaller volume of more concentrated urine.

How does aldosterone change sodium and potassium handling?

Aldosterone increases sodium reabsorption and potassium secretion in parts of the nephron. Water can follow the retained sodium.

How can renin help restore blood pressure?

Low renal blood flow or sodium delivery can increase renin release. The resulting angiotensin II narrows blood vessels and promotes aldosterone release, supporting sodium and water retention.