Physiology II w/Lab Exam Q&A | Portage Learning
1. Which structure anchors the kidney to the posterior abdominal wall?
A) Renal capsule
B) Adipose capsule
C) Renal fascia
D) Perirenal fat
Correct Answer: Renal fascia
Rationale: The renal fascia is a dense fibrous connective tissue layer that
surrounds the kidney and adipose capsule, firmly attaching the kidney to the
surrounding structures. The renal capsule is the innermost fibrous layer directly
on the kidney surface; the adipose capsule cushions but does not anchor.
2. From outermost to innermost, the three layers of supportive tissue around
the kidney are
A) renal capsule, adipose capsule, renal fascia
B) renal fascia, adipose capsule, renal capsule
C) adipose capsule, renal fascia, renal capsule
D) renal fascia, renal capsule, perirenal fat
Correct Answer: renal fascia, adipose capsule, renal capsule
Rationale: The renal fascia is the outermost dense connective tissue layer. Deep
to it lies the perirenal fat (adipose capsule), and the innermost layer directly on
,the renal parenchyma is the fibrous renal capsule. This arrangement protects
and cushions the kidney.
3. The renal cortex contains all of the following EXCEPT the
A) glomerular capsules
B) proximal convoluted tubules
C) distal convoluted tubules
D) loops of Henle
Correct Answer: loops of Henle
Rationale: The renal cortex houses the glomerular capsule (Bowman’s),
proximal convoluted tubules, and distal convoluted tubules. The loops of Henle
dip down into the medulla. Cortical nephrons may have short loops barely
entering the medulla, but the loop itself is not within the cortex.
4. Renal pyramids are located in the
A) renal cortex
B) renal columns
C) renal medulla
D) renal pelvis
Correct Answer: renal medulla
Rationale: The renal medulla is composed of cone-shaped renal pyramids
separated by renal columns. The pyramids contain the loops of Henle and
, collecting ducts, and their tips (papillae) drain into minor calyces. The cortex is
the outer granular layer.
5. Urine from the tips of the renal pyramids drains into the
A) major calyces directly
B) renal pelvis directly
C) minor calyces
D) ureter directly
Correct Answer: minor calyces
Rationale: Each renal papilla projects into a funnel-shaped minor calyx, which
collects urine and channels it into major calyces. The major calyces merge to
form the renal pelvis, which then drains into the ureter. Minor calyces are the
first urine-collecting structures.
6. The renal blood vessel that runs between the renal pyramids is the
A) arcuate artery
B) interlobar artery
C) interlobular artery
D) segmental artery
Correct Answer: interlobar artery
Rationale: Interlobar arteries travel through the renal columns between the
pyramids, branching from segmental arteries. They then give rise to arcuate