Anatomy of Kidney  Nephron: functional unit of the kidney  Hilum: the medial area where vessels and nerves enter kidney (external)  Renal fascia: connective fibrous outer layer attaches to abdominal wall  Adipose capsule: fat layer that acts to cushions and holds kidney in place  Renal capsule: fibrous sac protects from infection

Anatomy of Kidney  Renal sinus: medial area where vessels and urine ducts enter kidney (internal)  Parenchyma: glandular tissue that forms urine –Outer renal cortex: thin outer layer of tissue that extends in columns dividing medulla into renal pyramids –Inner renal medulla: contains renal pyramids that funnel into the minor calyx

Anatomy of Kidney  Minor calyx: a small funnel like structure that collects urine from a renal pyramid  Major calyx: a larger funnel like structure that several minor calyx merge into  Renal Pelvis: an even larger funnel that several major calyx merge into  Glomerulus: a mass of capillaries that is enclosed by the nephron glomerular capsule (Bowman’s capsule)

Nephron  The nephron has two parts 1.Renal corpuscle: has two parts the glomerulus and the bowman’s capsule. 2.Renal tubule: a duct that leads away from the capsule and ends at the minor calyx. It is made up of several parts: PCT, nephron loop, DCT, collecting duct, papillary duct

Renal Tubule  Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT): contained in the renal cortex it follows the bowman’s capsule, is the longest part of the renal tubule, has microvilli to increase absorption.  Nephron loop: follows the PCT, has a descending thin segment and a ascending thick segment, active in salt transport, contained in the renal medulla

Renal Tubule  Distal convoluted tubule (DCT): when the nephron loop returns to the renal cortex, contains no microvilli  Collecting duct: a long straight tubule that several DCTs empty into  Papillary duct: a larger tubule that several collecting ducts empty into, the papillary duct enters the minor calyx