BIOD 152 Module 7:BIOD 152 Module 7 Exam:
Questions & Answers: Latest Updated 2026:
Guaranteed A+ Score
BIOD 152 Module 7 Practice Exam
Instructions: This practice exam covers urinary system anatomy, kidney structure and function,
nephron physiology, urine formation, and acid-base balance. Bold italic text highlights key
terms. Each question includes the correct answer and rationale.
SECTION 1: Gross Anatomy of the Urinary System
1. True or False: The kidneys are long, thin muscular tubes.
• A) True
• B) False
Answer: B) False
Rationale: The kidneys are bean-shaped organs composed of soft tissue; they are not muscular
tubes. The tubes are the ureters, which carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder .
2. The urinary system has ____ kidneys, ____ ureters, and ____ bladder.
• A) 2; 2; 1
• B) 1; 2; 1
• C) 2; 1; 2
• D) 1; 1; 1
,Answer: A) 2; 2; 1
Rationale: The urinary system is structured with two kidneys that filter blood, two ureters that
transport urine to the bladder, and a single bladder that stores urine until excretion .
3. Describe the shape, weight and location of the adult kidney.
• A) Round, 10 ounces, located in the pelvis
• B) Bean-shaped, about 5 ounces, located between T-12 and L-3
• C) Oval, 8 ounces, located between T-5 and T-10
• D) Triangular, 3 ounces, located in the abdomen
Answer: B) Bean-shaped, about 5 ounces, located between T-12 and L-3
Rationale: An adult kidney is bean-shaped, about the size of a can of soup and weighs about 5
ounces. The right kidney lies slightly lower than the left because of the liver's location just above
it. Both kidneys are mostly protected by the rib cage because of their location between the T-12
and L-3 vertebra .
4. The ____ glands are located on top of each kidney.
• A) Pituitary
• B) Thyroid
• C) Adrenal
• D) Parathyroid
Answer: C) Adrenal
Rationale: Adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are endocrine structures that
produce hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, regulating metabolism and stress responses.
Their anatomical position atop each kidney is critical for maintaining homeostasis .
5. A person sustained blunt force trauma to the back at the T5 level, with no spinal cord
injury. Would you suspect the kidneys to be damaged? Why or why not?
• A) Yes, because they lie between T3 and T8
• B) Yes, because they are directly adjacent to T5
, • C) No, because the kidneys lie lower, between T12 and L3
• D) No, because they are protected by the pelvic girdle
Answer: C) No, because the kidneys lie lower, between T12 and L3
Rationale: The kidneys are anatomically situated between the T-12 and L-3 vertebrae. Trauma
at the T5 level is well above the kidney position, so kidney damage is unlikely when the injury is
isolated at T5 with no spinal cord injury .
6. What is the primarily noted structure and purpose of the renal capsule?
• A) It is a muscular sheath that pumps blood into the renal hilum
• B) It is a protective layer that protects the kidney from injury and infection
• C) It is a mucosal layer that produces mucus to lubricate urine flow
• D) It is a network of capillaries where blood filtration begins
Answer: B) It is a protective layer that protects the kidney from injury and infection
Rationale: The renal capsule is a tough fibrous outer layer that serves as a protective barrier to
shield the kidney from trauma and infectious agents .
7. Which fatty layer lies outside of the renal capsule to protect the kidney from trauma?
• A) Renal capsule
• B) Renal adipose capsule
• C) Renal fascia
• D) Peritoneum
Answer: B) Renal adipose capsule
Rationale: The renal adipose capsule is the specific fatty layer outside the renal capsule that
cushions the kidney from trauma. It acts like a shock absorber .
8. Describe the three layers of protective tissue that surround the kidney.
• A) Renal capsule, adipose capsule, renal fascia
• B) Meninges, cortex, medulla
, • C) Endocardium, myocardium, epicardium
• D) Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater
Answer: A) Renal capsule, adipose capsule, renal fascia
Rationale: The kidney is protected by three layers: the renal capsule (tough fibrous outer skin
that protects from injury and infection), the adipose capsule (fatty layer that protects from
trauma), and the renal fascia (dense fibrous connective tissue that keeps the kidney in place
inside the abdominal cavity) .
9. A vertical cross section shows what three regions inside the kidney?
• A) Cortex, medulla, pelvis
• B) Cortex, medulla, capsule
• C) Medulla, pelvis, ureter
• D) Cortex, pelvis, ureter
Answer: A) Cortex, medulla, pelvis
Rationale: The kidney's anatomy is organized into three distinct regions: the cortex (contains
glomeruli and nephron structures), the medulla (composed of renal pyramids that facilitate
urine concentration), and the pelvis (serving as the funnel for urine drainage into the ureter) .
10. The renal medulla is divided into sections called:
• A) Columns
• B) Pyramids
• C) Calyces
• D) Lobes
Answer: B) Pyramids
Rationale: The renal medulla is divided into sections called pyramids (renal pyramids), which
are conical structures that play a crucial role in urine formation and concentration .
11. Describe the renal pelvis.
• A) The outer region of the kidney
Questions & Answers: Latest Updated 2026:
Guaranteed A+ Score
BIOD 152 Module 7 Practice Exam
Instructions: This practice exam covers urinary system anatomy, kidney structure and function,
nephron physiology, urine formation, and acid-base balance. Bold italic text highlights key
terms. Each question includes the correct answer and rationale.
SECTION 1: Gross Anatomy of the Urinary System
1. True or False: The kidneys are long, thin muscular tubes.
• A) True
• B) False
Answer: B) False
Rationale: The kidneys are bean-shaped organs composed of soft tissue; they are not muscular
tubes. The tubes are the ureters, which carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder .
2. The urinary system has ____ kidneys, ____ ureters, and ____ bladder.
• A) 2; 2; 1
• B) 1; 2; 1
• C) 2; 1; 2
• D) 1; 1; 1
,Answer: A) 2; 2; 1
Rationale: The urinary system is structured with two kidneys that filter blood, two ureters that
transport urine to the bladder, and a single bladder that stores urine until excretion .
3. Describe the shape, weight and location of the adult kidney.
• A) Round, 10 ounces, located in the pelvis
• B) Bean-shaped, about 5 ounces, located between T-12 and L-3
• C) Oval, 8 ounces, located between T-5 and T-10
• D) Triangular, 3 ounces, located in the abdomen
Answer: B) Bean-shaped, about 5 ounces, located between T-12 and L-3
Rationale: An adult kidney is bean-shaped, about the size of a can of soup and weighs about 5
ounces. The right kidney lies slightly lower than the left because of the liver's location just above
it. Both kidneys are mostly protected by the rib cage because of their location between the T-12
and L-3 vertebra .
4. The ____ glands are located on top of each kidney.
• A) Pituitary
• B) Thyroid
• C) Adrenal
• D) Parathyroid
Answer: C) Adrenal
Rationale: Adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are endocrine structures that
produce hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, regulating metabolism and stress responses.
Their anatomical position atop each kidney is critical for maintaining homeostasis .
5. A person sustained blunt force trauma to the back at the T5 level, with no spinal cord
injury. Would you suspect the kidneys to be damaged? Why or why not?
• A) Yes, because they lie between T3 and T8
• B) Yes, because they are directly adjacent to T5
, • C) No, because the kidneys lie lower, between T12 and L3
• D) No, because they are protected by the pelvic girdle
Answer: C) No, because the kidneys lie lower, between T12 and L3
Rationale: The kidneys are anatomically situated between the T-12 and L-3 vertebrae. Trauma
at the T5 level is well above the kidney position, so kidney damage is unlikely when the injury is
isolated at T5 with no spinal cord injury .
6. What is the primarily noted structure and purpose of the renal capsule?
• A) It is a muscular sheath that pumps blood into the renal hilum
• B) It is a protective layer that protects the kidney from injury and infection
• C) It is a mucosal layer that produces mucus to lubricate urine flow
• D) It is a network of capillaries where blood filtration begins
Answer: B) It is a protective layer that protects the kidney from injury and infection
Rationale: The renal capsule is a tough fibrous outer layer that serves as a protective barrier to
shield the kidney from trauma and infectious agents .
7. Which fatty layer lies outside of the renal capsule to protect the kidney from trauma?
• A) Renal capsule
• B) Renal adipose capsule
• C) Renal fascia
• D) Peritoneum
Answer: B) Renal adipose capsule
Rationale: The renal adipose capsule is the specific fatty layer outside the renal capsule that
cushions the kidney from trauma. It acts like a shock absorber .
8. Describe the three layers of protective tissue that surround the kidney.
• A) Renal capsule, adipose capsule, renal fascia
• B) Meninges, cortex, medulla
, • C) Endocardium, myocardium, epicardium
• D) Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater
Answer: A) Renal capsule, adipose capsule, renal fascia
Rationale: The kidney is protected by three layers: the renal capsule (tough fibrous outer skin
that protects from injury and infection), the adipose capsule (fatty layer that protects from
trauma), and the renal fascia (dense fibrous connective tissue that keeps the kidney in place
inside the abdominal cavity) .
9. A vertical cross section shows what three regions inside the kidney?
• A) Cortex, medulla, pelvis
• B) Cortex, medulla, capsule
• C) Medulla, pelvis, ureter
• D) Cortex, pelvis, ureter
Answer: A) Cortex, medulla, pelvis
Rationale: The kidney's anatomy is organized into three distinct regions: the cortex (contains
glomeruli and nephron structures), the medulla (composed of renal pyramids that facilitate
urine concentration), and the pelvis (serving as the funnel for urine drainage into the ureter) .
10. The renal medulla is divided into sections called:
• A) Columns
• B) Pyramids
• C) Calyces
• D) Lobes
Answer: B) Pyramids
Rationale: The renal medulla is divided into sections called pyramids (renal pyramids), which
are conical structures that play a crucial role in urine formation and concentration .
11. Describe the renal pelvis.
• A) The outer region of the kidney
