Renal and Urology Exam Questions and Answers Latest Update Graded A+
What is the area of the kidneys that contains the glomeruli and portions of the tubules called? - Answers
Cortex
The cortex contains all the glomeruli and portions of the tubules of the kidneys. The medulla forms the
inner part of the kidney and consists of regions called pyramids. The apices of the pyramids project into
minor calyces (cup-shaped cavities) that unite to form major calyces. Renal columns are an extension of
the cortex and lie between the pyramids and extend to the renal pelvis.
What is the functional unit of the kidney called? - Answers Nephron
The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney. The glomerulus is a tuft of capillaries that loop into the
circular Bowman glomerular capsule (Bowman space), like fingers pushed into bread dough and is the
site of filtration. Final adjustments in urine composition are made by the distal tubule and collecting
duct according to body needs. The apices of the pyramids project into minor calyces (cup-shaped
cavities) that unite to form major calyces.
What is the only surface inside the nephron where cells are covered with microvilli to increase the
reabsorptive surface area called? - Answers Proximal convoluted tubules
The only surface inside the nephron where the cells are covered with microvilli (a brush border) is called
the proximal convoluted tubules. This proximal convoluted tubular lumen consists of one layer of
cuboidal cells with a surface layer of microvilli that increases the reabsorptive surface area.
What part of the kidney controls renal blood flow, glomerular filtration, and renin secretion? - Answers
Juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA)
Control of renal blood flow, glomerular filtration, and renin secretion occurs at the JGA. Together, the
juxtaglomerular cells and macula densa cells form the JGA. The macula densa prevent large fluctuations
in body water and salt. The visceral epithelium becomes the parietal epithelium. The filtration slits are
intercellular clefts that modulate filtration.
Innervation of the bladder and internal urethral sphincter is supplied by which nerves? - Answers
Parasympathetic fibers
, The innervation of the bladder and internal urethral sphincter is supplied by parasympathetic fibers of
the autonomic nervous system. The process is not dependent on peripheral nerves, the sympathetic
nervous system, or the tenth thoracic nerve roots.
How much urine accumulates in the bladder before the mechanoreceptors sense bladder fullness? -
Answers 250 to 300 mL
When the bladder accumulates 250 to 300 mL of urine, it contracts and the internal urethral sphincter
relaxes through activation of the spinal reflex arc (known as the micturition reflex).
. What is the trigone? - Answers A smooth triangular area between the openings of the two ureters and
the urethra
The trigone is a smooth triangular area lying between the openings of the two ureters and the urethra.
The glomerular filtration rate is directly related to which factor? - Answers Perfusion pressure in the
glomerular capillaries
The filtration of the plasma per unit of time is known as the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is
directly related to the perfusion pressure in the glomerular capillaries. It is not related to diffusion rates
in the renal cortex or medulla or on glomerular active transport.
On average, what percent of cardiac output do the kidneys receive? - Answers 20% to 25%
The kidneys are highly vascular organs and usually receive 1000 to 1200 mL of blood per minute, or
approximately 20% to 25% of the cardiac output.
What are blood vessels of the kidneys innervated by? - Answers Sympathetic nervous system
The blood vessels of the kidney are innervated by the sympathetic noradrenergic fibers that cause
arteriolar vasoconstriction and reduce renal blood flow. These vessels are not innervated by the vagus
nerve, somatic nervous system, or parasympathetic nervous system.
When renin is released, it is capable of which action? - Answers Formation of angiotensin I
What is the area of the kidneys that contains the glomeruli and portions of the tubules called? - Answers
Cortex
The cortex contains all the glomeruli and portions of the tubules of the kidneys. The medulla forms the
inner part of the kidney and consists of regions called pyramids. The apices of the pyramids project into
minor calyces (cup-shaped cavities) that unite to form major calyces. Renal columns are an extension of
the cortex and lie between the pyramids and extend to the renal pelvis.
What is the functional unit of the kidney called? - Answers Nephron
The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney. The glomerulus is a tuft of capillaries that loop into the
circular Bowman glomerular capsule (Bowman space), like fingers pushed into bread dough and is the
site of filtration. Final adjustments in urine composition are made by the distal tubule and collecting
duct according to body needs. The apices of the pyramids project into minor calyces (cup-shaped
cavities) that unite to form major calyces.
What is the only surface inside the nephron where cells are covered with microvilli to increase the
reabsorptive surface area called? - Answers Proximal convoluted tubules
The only surface inside the nephron where the cells are covered with microvilli (a brush border) is called
the proximal convoluted tubules. This proximal convoluted tubular lumen consists of one layer of
cuboidal cells with a surface layer of microvilli that increases the reabsorptive surface area.
What part of the kidney controls renal blood flow, glomerular filtration, and renin secretion? - Answers
Juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA)
Control of renal blood flow, glomerular filtration, and renin secretion occurs at the JGA. Together, the
juxtaglomerular cells and macula densa cells form the JGA. The macula densa prevent large fluctuations
in body water and salt. The visceral epithelium becomes the parietal epithelium. The filtration slits are
intercellular clefts that modulate filtration.
Innervation of the bladder and internal urethral sphincter is supplied by which nerves? - Answers
Parasympathetic fibers
, The innervation of the bladder and internal urethral sphincter is supplied by parasympathetic fibers of
the autonomic nervous system. The process is not dependent on peripheral nerves, the sympathetic
nervous system, or the tenth thoracic nerve roots.
How much urine accumulates in the bladder before the mechanoreceptors sense bladder fullness? -
Answers 250 to 300 mL
When the bladder accumulates 250 to 300 mL of urine, it contracts and the internal urethral sphincter
relaxes through activation of the spinal reflex arc (known as the micturition reflex).
. What is the trigone? - Answers A smooth triangular area between the openings of the two ureters and
the urethra
The trigone is a smooth triangular area lying between the openings of the two ureters and the urethra.
The glomerular filtration rate is directly related to which factor? - Answers Perfusion pressure in the
glomerular capillaries
The filtration of the plasma per unit of time is known as the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is
directly related to the perfusion pressure in the glomerular capillaries. It is not related to diffusion rates
in the renal cortex or medulla or on glomerular active transport.
On average, what percent of cardiac output do the kidneys receive? - Answers 20% to 25%
The kidneys are highly vascular organs and usually receive 1000 to 1200 mL of blood per minute, or
approximately 20% to 25% of the cardiac output.
What are blood vessels of the kidneys innervated by? - Answers Sympathetic nervous system
The blood vessels of the kidney are innervated by the sympathetic noradrenergic fibers that cause
arteriolar vasoconstriction and reduce renal blood flow. These vessels are not innervated by the vagus
nerve, somatic nervous system, or parasympathetic nervous system.
When renin is released, it is capable of which action? - Answers Formation of angiotensin I
