Anatomical Location
They are covered by the renal capsule, which is a tough capsule of fibrous connective tissue. Adhering to the surface of each kidney are two layers of fat to help cushion them.
What layer protects the kidney from trauma?
The renal capsule (deep layer) – a smooth, transparent, fibrous membrane that is continuous with the outer coat of the ureter. It serves as a barrier against trauma and helps to maintain the shape of the kidney.
What is the protective outer covering of the kidney?
The outermost layer is a tough connective tissue layer called the renal fascia. The second layer is called the perirenal fat capsule, which helps anchor the kidneys in place.
What are the 3 regions that make up a kidney?
The kidney is made up of three different regions internally: the outer cortex, the middle medulla (with the renal pyramids) and the inner-most renal pelvis.
Which ribs protect the kidneys?
External Anatomy
Upper portions of the kidneys are somewhat protected by the eleventh and twelfth ribs.
What are the kidneys protected by?
Your kidneys are protected by your ribs. The kidneys do three main things in your body: Remove wastes. They filter waste products and extra fluid out of your blood.
In which kidney region are the renal pyramids located?
Renal pyramids are kidney tissues that are shaped like cones. Another term for renal pyramids is malpighian pyramids. Between seven and eighteen pyramids exist in the innermost part of the kidney, which is called the renal medulla; in humans, there are usually only seven of the pyramids.
What protects the kidney from mechanical shock?
The renal capsule covers and contains the kidney. The perirenal fat provides protection against mechanical shock.
Where are the kidneys located anatomically?
The kidneys are located at the rear wall of the abdominal cavity just above the waistline and are protected by the ribcage. They are considered retroperitoneal, which means that they lie behind the peritoneum.
What structures are in the renal cortex?
function in kidney
somewhat granular outer section (the cortex), containing the glomeruli and convoluted tubules, and a smooth, somewhat striated inner section (the medulla), containing the loops of Henle and the collecting tubules.
What is macroscopic structure of kidney?
Gross anatomy
Grossly, these structures take the shape of eight to 18 cone-shaped renal lobes, each containing renal cortex surrounding a portion of medulla called a renal pyramid. Between the renal pyramids are projections of cortex called renal columns.
What does the renal medulla do?
The main function of the medulla is to regulate concentration of the urine. The urine flows from the collecting ducts into the renal calyces and pelvis, which undergoes unidirectional peristaltic movements to allow drainage of the urine into the downstream ureter and bladder.
What is external structure of kidney?
External structure of kidney
Kidneys are bean-shaped and dark-red in color. One side bulges outward (convex) and the other side is indented (concave). The indented or concave section is known as the hilum. This is where the renal artery, the renal vein and the ureter enter / exit the kidney.
Why do renal pyramids have a striped appearance?
These are striped in appearance because they contain microscopic coiled tubes called nephrons, the functional unit of the kidney . Urine is made by the nephrons and drains into tiny collecting ducts within the medullary pyramids. The collecting ducts merge at the base of the pyramids to form the renal papilla.
What are the structures of the kidney?
Inside the kidneys are a number of pyramid-shaped lobes. Each consists of an outer renal cortex and an inner renal medulla. Nephrons flow between these sections. These are the urine-producing structures of the kidneys.
Which of the following renal structures is found in the medulla of the kidney?
Different sections of nephrons are located in different parts of the kidney: The cortex contains the renal corpuscle, proximal, and distal convoluted tubules. The medulla and medullary rays contain the loops of Henle and collecting ducts.
Where in the kidney does filtration occur?
Each of your kidneys is made up of about a million filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron includes a filter, called the glomerulus, and a tubule. The nephrons work through a two-step process: the glomerulus filters your blood, and the tubule returns needed substances to your blood and removes wastes.
Which organ is responsible for filtration?
Your kidneys are responsible for filtering both the body’s blood and other waste materials that may enter the body, whether through food, drink or medicine. The waste leaves the body as urine.
What region of the kidney is deep to the renal cortex?
A frontal section through the kidney reveals 2 distinct regions: a superficial reddish area called the renal cortex and a deep reddish-brown region called the renal medulla.
Which two ions can the kidney preserve?
The kidneys excrete excess H+ ions into urine for elimination from the body. The kidneys also conserve bicarbonate ions, which act as important pH buffers in the blood.
What vertebrae are the kidneys near?
The kidneys are paired retroperitoneal structures that are normally located between the transverse processes of T12-L3 vertebrae, with the left kidney typically somewhat more superior in position than the right.
Which structures make up the renal corpuscle?
The renal corpuscle consists of Bowman’s capsule and glomerular capillaries, responsible for plasma filtration (image A) & (image B).
What are the regions of the kidney?
There are three major regions of the kidney:
- Renal cortex.
- Renal medulla.
- Renal pelvis.