What sits higher? The left or right kidney? Why?

  What are the four organs of the excretory system?

What are the four major structures of the urinary system?

  List AND describe the five functions of the urinary system, making sure to address the following:

a.     How does EPO regulates blood volume.

b.     Summarize the pathway of how blood calcium levels are regulated by calcitriol. Make sure to focus on its effects on the intestine, bone, and kidney.

Compare and contrast the locations AND functions of the renal capsule, adipose capsule, and renal fascia. Make sure you know the correct order from superficial to deep and vice versa.

Draw out AND label the following macroscopic regions of the kidney:

a.     Hilum

b.     Renal sinus

c.     Renal cortex

d.     Renal pyramids

e.     Renal lobe

f.      Renal papilla

g.     Major calyx

h.    Minor calyx

i.      Renal pelvis

Make a flow chart illustrating the flow of blood through the kidneys.

  What are the two major structures that make up a nephron?

What two structures make up the renal corpuscle?

  Describe the blood flow into and out of the glomerulus, making sure to explain the significance of the differing diameters of the afferent and efferent arteriole.

What are the main structures and functions of the juxtaglomerular apparatus? Spend some time and really make sure you understand the arrangement of the components of the JGA since this is a very important structure when it comes to regulating blood pressure.

What “force” drives glomerular filtration? What exactly is filtrate?

Generally, which regions of the renal tubule does reabsorption and secretion take place in?

Which regions of the renal tubule are in the cortex of the kidney and which are in the medulla of the kidney?

Describe the “drainage system” of the nephrons.

Compare and contrast cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons.

  Draw out the microscopic anatomy of the glomerulus making sure to include the relationships of the following structures:

a.     Podocytes

b.     Pedicles

c.     Filtration Slits

d.     Fenstrated capillaires and their associated pores

e.     Lamina densa (basement membrane)

Define osmolarity and then describe osmolarity in your own words so that it makes sense.

Compare and contrast hydrostatic pressure and colloid osmotic pressure.

Draw out a simple diagram that illustrates glomerular filtration including:

a.     GHP

b.     BCOP

c.     CsHP

d.     Capillary colloid osmotic pressure

   Explain what exactly GRF is. Not just what it stands for, but what it actually measures! J

Generally, what three factors affect filtration pressure?

Summarize how GFR is regulated by the autonomic nervous system. Include the effects of exercise in your response.

Summarize how GFR is regulated by the autonomic nervous system. Include the effects of exercise in your response.

Where in the nephron does the majority of reabsorption occur? What is the significance of epithelial microvilli in this region?

   Draw the arrangement of the following and use this to explain the process of reabsorption in the PCT:

a.     Tubular fluid

b.     Peritubular fluid

c.     Peritubular capillary  

Draw out the four major regions of the loop of Henle, indicating the permeability of water and ions. Use this to explain how the loop of Henle concentrates the urine.

How would a longer loop of Henle be beneficial to a desert mammal?

  What is the significance of the epithelial cells of the DCT not having microvilli?

  List AND describe the three processes of the DCT.

Illustrate the Na+/K+ pump in the DCT and how aldosterone affects its action.

What ion is “lost” in the urine due to the effects of aldosterone?

Describe the release and effects of ADH in a well hydrated vs. a dehydrated individual.

Summarize the goals of urine production, including the three organic waste products (and where they come from).

Just how concentrated is human urine? How would this compare to a desert rat’s urine?

Explain the concept of the Transport maximum (T_m) and renal threshold of the kidney and relate this to Diabetes Mellitus.

How do ANP and BNP counter the effects of the RAA System?

What three structures make up the urinary tract?

Summarize the causes, symptoms, and treatments for kidney stones.

Describe the anatomy of the bladder wall, making sure to address the detrusor muscle and the significance of transitional epithelium.

Relate urethral gender differences to the UTI’s.

What is cystitis? Glomerulonephritis?

  Draw out the micturition reflex, making sure to include the following:

a.     Stretch receptors in the bladder.

b.     Afferent fibers to the sacral spinal cord.

c.     Efferent motor fibers from the sacral spinal cord.

d.     The central pathway components to and from the thalamus of the brain.