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Medicine LibreTexts

11.1: Urinary system

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A. Wong and R. Cianciolo

This chapter will cover the urinary system.

Chapter Learning Objectives

imageBy the end of this chapter, you should be able to do the following:

  • Describe the components of the nephron, with specific reference to histologic features, location and function.
  • Identify and describe the histologic features, location and function of the following components of the glomerulus: endothelial cells, glomerular basement membrane, podocytes, mesangial cells, Bowman’s space, Bowman’s capsule.
  • Describe how plasma (intravascular) is filtered across the glomerular basement membrane, and describe the cells that contribute to the filtration barrier.
  • Describe how the tubular segment of the nephron modifies filtrate to maintain homeostasis.
  • Describe the anatomic and microanatomy of the lower urinary tract.

Review Questions

image
By the end of this chapter, you should be able to answer the following:

  • Define the following renal components: Medullary ray, lobe, lobule, papilla and calyx
  • How do the cortex, corticomedullary junction, and medulla differ?
  • What are the 3 components of the glomerular filtration barrier? What are their properties?
  • Describe endothelial fenestrations and glycocalyx.
  • Describe podocytes (their shape) and slit diaphragms.
  • Describe reabsorption. What types of molecules are reabsorbed? How are they reabsorbed?
  • What are the distinguishing features of the proximal tubules and distal convoluted tubules?
  • What are some mechanisms for transporting molecules across a cell membrane or space? Which of these require energy, and why?
  • What structures are lined by urothelium?

This page titled 11.1: Urinary system is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Ryan Jennings and Christopher Premanandan via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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