Functions
This is the process of filtering blood to remove waste and form filtrate.
What is filtration?
This outer region of the kidney contains most of the glomeruli.
What is the renal cortex?
This is the functional unit of the kidney.
What is the nephron?
This hormone increases water reabsorption in the kidneys.
What is antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?
This is the normal pH range of urine.
What is slightly acidic (around pH 6)?
This process returns useful substances like glucose and water back to the bloodstream.
What is reabsorption?
This inner region of the kidney contains the renal pyramids.
What is the renal medulla?
This structure is the site of filtration within the nephron.
What is the glomerulus?
This hormone increases sodium reabsorption and raises blood pressure.
What is aldosterone?
This substance is normally found in urine and is a product of protein metabolism.
What is urea?
This process removes additional wastes like hydrogen ions and drugs into the filtrate.
What is secretion?
This structure is where urine collects before entering the ureter.
What is the renal pelvis?
This part of the nephron reabsorbs the majority of water, glucose, and ions.
What is the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)?
This hormone decreases blood volume by promoting sodium and water excretion.
What is atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)?
The presence of this substance in urine often indicates diabetes mellitus.
What is glucose?
These are the three major renal processes that occur in the nephron.
What are filtration, reabsorption, and secretion?
These structures collect urine from the papilla before it enters the renal pelvis.
What are the minor and major calyces?
This structure creates a concentration gradient to help conserve water.
What is the loop of Henle?
This hormone is released by the kidneys to begin regulation of blood pressure through the RAAS pathway.
What is renin?
These are crystal deposits that can form in the kidneys and block urine flow.
What are kidney stones (renal calculi)?
In addition to waste removal, the kidneys regulate blood pressure, blood volume, and this balance in the body.
What is fluid and electrolyte balance?
This indentation on the medial side of the kidney is where vessels and the ureter enter and exit.
What is the hilum?
This part of the nephron fine-tunes reabsorption of water and sodium under hormonal control.
What is the distal convoluted tubule (DCT)?
Explain how the kidneys regulate blood pressure through hormonal control.
What is the RAAS pathway, where renin leads to angiotensin and aldosterone, increasing blood pressure and volume?
This condition occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter blood effectively.
What is renal failure?