SHN169 – The Renal System
The Renal System
Objectives of this session
Urinary system – anatomy and gross function
Kidney – gross structure, anatomy and primary functions
Nephron – anatomy and physiology
o The functional units of the kidney
Urine facts and composition
Recap: osmosis and diffusion
o Key to urine formation and dialysis
Urine formation – filtration, reabsorption, secretion
Dialysis
o Artificial filtration of the blood
Hormonal control of renal system – antidiuretic hormone (ADH), aldosterone and
atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH)
Urine analysis in detecting various pathologies
Urinary system
Anatomy
Gross Function
o Kidneys (the renal system)
Produce urine (filtration, reabsorption, secretion)
o Ureter
Ureter (one per kidney) carry urine away from the kidneys and to the
urinary bladder
o Urinary bladder
The urinary bladder is a muscular, elastic sac which stores urine
arriving via each ureter
1
, SHN169 – The Renal System
o Urethra
A duct which allows urine to leave the bladder (and body itself) via
the process of urination.
Kidney – Anatomy
Two kidneys
Located either side of vertebral column
Average kidney measures 11 x 7 x 3 cm
Left kidney often slightly larger than the right
Right kidney usually slightly lower than the left – Thought to be due to positioning of
the liver
Kidneys surrounded in layer of fat for support (and protection
The Kidney:
o Organs of urinary system
Kidney, ureter, bladder, urethra
o Arteries carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart and to other organs
o Veins take deoxygenated blood away from organs
o Arteries and veins split and divide into smaller ones as they go into the kidney
(due to the size of the kidney)
E.g. segmental arteries/segmental vein
o Hilum
Indentation – entry of renal artery and nerves, exit of renal vein and
ureter
o Renal pelvis
The enlarged portion of the ureter as it leaves the kidney. Also the
point of mergence for the major calyces
o Cortex
Outer layer of kidney
o Medulla
Inner part of kidney
2
The Renal System
Objectives of this session
Urinary system – anatomy and gross function
Kidney – gross structure, anatomy and primary functions
Nephron – anatomy and physiology
o The functional units of the kidney
Urine facts and composition
Recap: osmosis and diffusion
o Key to urine formation and dialysis
Urine formation – filtration, reabsorption, secretion
Dialysis
o Artificial filtration of the blood
Hormonal control of renal system – antidiuretic hormone (ADH), aldosterone and
atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH)
Urine analysis in detecting various pathologies
Urinary system
Anatomy
Gross Function
o Kidneys (the renal system)
Produce urine (filtration, reabsorption, secretion)
o Ureter
Ureter (one per kidney) carry urine away from the kidneys and to the
urinary bladder
o Urinary bladder
The urinary bladder is a muscular, elastic sac which stores urine
arriving via each ureter
1
, SHN169 – The Renal System
o Urethra
A duct which allows urine to leave the bladder (and body itself) via
the process of urination.
Kidney – Anatomy
Two kidneys
Located either side of vertebral column
Average kidney measures 11 x 7 x 3 cm
Left kidney often slightly larger than the right
Right kidney usually slightly lower than the left – Thought to be due to positioning of
the liver
Kidneys surrounded in layer of fat for support (and protection
The Kidney:
o Organs of urinary system
Kidney, ureter, bladder, urethra
o Arteries carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart and to other organs
o Veins take deoxygenated blood away from organs
o Arteries and veins split and divide into smaller ones as they go into the kidney
(due to the size of the kidney)
E.g. segmental arteries/segmental vein
o Hilum
Indentation – entry of renal artery and nerves, exit of renal vein and
ureter
o Renal pelvis
The enlarged portion of the ureter as it leaves the kidney. Also the
point of mergence for the major calyces
o Cortex
Outer layer of kidney
o Medulla
Inner part of kidney
2
