KIDNEY

ANATOMY
The kidneys lie on the posterior wall of the abdomen, one on each side of the
vertebral column. The right kidney is placed slightly lower then the left.
Each kidney is surrounded by a layer of fibrous capsule.

Below the capsule and between the pyramids is present a layer of reddish
brown tissue which is called as cortex. The innermost layer which consists
of the conical shaped pyramids is called as medulla. The concave medial
border of the kidney where renal blood, lymph vessels and nerves enter is
called as hilum.

The funnel shaped structure which behaves as a receptacle for urine formed
by the kidneys is called as the renal pelvis. The pelvis has a number of
branches called calyces. The urine formed by the kidney passes into lesser
calyx, from this it passes into greater calyx and then through the pelvis into
the ureter.
STUCTURE

The kidney is composed of large number of small units called as nephrons,

which are structurally and functionally similar. The nephron is made up of
vascular component, glomerulus and a tubular component. The first part of
the tubular component is Bowman's capsule. This is lined by single layer of
epithelial cells. Bowman's capsule is associated with glomerulus which
enters into the Bowman's capsule and is covered completely by the epithelial
lining.

The afferent and efferent arterioles are also present in the Bowman's capsule.
The afferent arterioles carries blood into the nephron and efferent arterioles
carries blood from the nephron. The Bowman's capsule leads to the next
portion of the tubule called as Proximal convoluted tubule and the next
part of the tubule is thin and is called as loop of henle . It has two limbs, the
ascending limb and the descending limb. After this the tubule again
becomes convoluted and this npart is called as Distal convoluted tubule.
The last part of the nephron comprises of the collecting ducts.
FUNCTIONS

1. The kidneys help in the removal of the metabolic waste products from
the blood.
2. The kidneys help in maintaining the constant composition of the
blood.
3. The kidneys help in the regulation of acid base balance
4. Kidneys regulate the excretion of the salts from the body.
5. The kidneys also regulate the excretion of water from the body.
6. They also play a vital role in the maintenance of the blood pressure.

Tips to Remember

PCT DCT
brush border present absent
carbonia anhydrase present
leaky- tight junctions tight- tight junctions

CORTICAL NEPHRON JUXTAMEDULLARY NEPHRON

FORMS 85% OF NEPHRONS 15%
SHORT LOOP OF HENLE. Lonf loop of henle.
Blood flow large. Less blood flow.
pO2 – 50mmHg 15mmHg.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

1. Special cells in collecting tubule

P- PRINCIPAL CELLS – FOR Na reabsorbtion.
I- INTERCALATED CELL - FOR acid secretion.
MESANGIAL CELLS:

1. glomerular mesangial cells- contractile nature, important role in

regulation of glomerular filtration.
2. extraglomerular mesangial cells.- part of juxtaglomerular apparatus.

JUXTAGLOMERULAR APPARATUS:

1. Juxtaglomerular cells contain rennin containing granules.

2. Macula densa cells.
3. Lacis cells.
RENAL TUBULAR SECRETION
Transport of solutes from peritubular capillaries into tubular lumen.

RENAL TUBULAR REABSORPTION

Transport of solutes from tubular lumen to peritubular capillaries.