The urinary system part 1

sodium potassium calcium chloride and phosphate

kidneys secrete H+ into the urine and conserve HCO-3 which are an important buffer of H+ in the blood

Kidneys secrete renin which activates the RAA pathway which increases blood pressure

by separately regulating water loss and loss of solutes in urine, the kidneys maintain a relatively constant blood osmolarity

the kidneys produce two hormones calcitrol, the active from of vitamin D, helps regulate calcium homeostasis and erythropoietin stimulates the production of red blood cells

the kidneys can use the amino acide glutamine in gluconeogenesis, the synthesis of new glucose molecules.  They can then release glucose into the blood to help maintain a normal blood glucose level

by forming urine

paired reddish bean shaped organs located just above the waist between the peritoneum and the posterior wall of the abdomen.  The size of a bar of soap

near the centre of the concave border of the kidneys is an indentation called this. Through which the ureter emerges from the kidney along with blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves

the deep layer, is a smooth transparent sheet of dense irregular connective tissue that is continuous with the outer coat of the ureter.  It serves as a barrier against trauma and helps maintain the shape of the kidneys

the middle layer is a mass of fatty tissue surrounding the renal capsule.  It also protects the kidneys from trauma and holds it firmly in place within the abdominal cavity

the superficial layer is another thin layer of dense irregular connective tissue that anchors the kidney to the surrounding structures and to the wall of the abdominal wall

a superficial light red region of the kidney

a deep darker, reddish brown inner region which consists of several cone shaped renal pyramids. The base of each pyramid faces the renal cortex and its apex called a renal papillae, points towards the renal hilum

the renal cortex and renal pyramids of the renal medulla constitute the functional portion of the kidney called this

those portions of the renal cortex that extend between renal pyramids

within the parenchyma are the functional units of the kidney

urine formed by the nephrons drains into these which extend through the renal papillae of the pyramids

the papillary ducts drain into these cuplike structures. each kidney has 8-18 minor and 2 or 3 major.  The minor receives urine from the papillary ducts of one renal papillae and delivers it to a major

from the major calyces, urine drains into a single layer cavity called this and then out through the ureter to the urinary bladder