Layers of kidney

Synonyms: Cortex renalis The kidneys are paired retroperitoneal organs of the Learning about kidney histology doesn’t have to be as painful as kidney stones! We have composed a simple step-by-step guide to help you master this complicated yet fascinating organ. If you need a little jump start, why not refresh your memory with our Key facts Gross anatomy Cortex (outer layer) and medulla (inner layer), calyces Nephron Main functional unit of the kidney: - Renal corpuscle; glomerulus and glomerular capsule - Renal tubule system; proximal tubule (convoluted and straight), nephron loop, distal tubule (convoluted and straight), collecting ducts Functions Urine production; maintains body fluid and electrolyte balance, blood pressure, acid base balance The kidney parenchyma consists of two layers; an outer cortex and inner medulla. They comprise around one million urine-producing nephrons. Urine is collected into a system of renal calyces, which is a series of distinctive chambers within a kidney. Calyces gradually increase in size, starting with the minor calyces, which open into larger major calyces, which empty into the renal pelvis, the urine passes into the ureter. The portion of the kidney which contains the calyces, renal pelvis, ureter and renal vessels is called the renal sinus. Kidney structure starter pack is waiting for you here: [Kidney histology] Now let’s take a closer look at the parenchyma layers. The renal cortex is the outer layer of the kidney tissue. It is...

All Subjects • Anatomy and Chemistry Basics • • • • • • • • • • • The Cell • • • • • • • • • Tissues • • • • • • • • • • The Integumentary System • • • • • • • • • • • Bones and Skeletal Tissues • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The Skeletal System • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Articulations • • • Muscle Tissue • • • • • • • • • • • • The Muscular System • • • • • • • • • Nervous Tissue • • • • • • • • • • • The Nervous System • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The Sensory System • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The Endocrine System • • • • • • • • • The Cardiovascular System • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The Lymphatic System • • • • • • • • • The Immune System and Other Body Defenses • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The Respiratory System • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The Digestive System • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • The Urinary System • • • • • • • • • • • The Reproductive System • • • • • • • Anatomy and Physiology Quizzes Anatomy of the Kidneys Understanding how the urinary system helps maintain homeostasis by removing harmful substances from the blood and regulating water balance in the body is an important part of physiology. Your kidneys, which are the main part of the urinary system, are made up of millions of nephrons that act as individual filtering units and are complex structures themselves. The ureters, urethra, and urinary bladder complete this intricate system. The urinary system helps maintain ...

PIXOLOGICSTUDIO / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images Clarifying the Terms: Renal? Nephrology? Let’s get the grammar straightened out at the outset. You might have heard the terms “renal,” “nephrological,” or others when you hear physicians talking about kidneys. The term “renal” is used interchangeably to refer to anything to do with the kidneys. The word comes from the Latin word for the kidneys, renes. What Are the Kidneys? A pair of bean-shaped organs, the kidneys sit in the flanks, closer to the spine than to your belly. They are located just underneath your diaphragm and rib cage. They normally range in size from 8 to 14 centimeters (or 3 to 5.5 inches). Each kidney weighs between 120 grams (about a quarter-pound) to 170 grams (0.4 lbs). These numbers vary based on a person’s size, and abnormal-sized kidneys could be a sign of kidney disease. About 380 gallons (1,440 liters) of blood flow through the kidneys every day. What the Kidneys Do Your kidneys are silent workhorses, toiling 24/7 to clean your blood of impurities and toxins that build up from the body's metabolism. This waste fluid, which we know better as urine, is then excreted. However, the kidneys’ role extends to well beyond just “making urine.” They are your body’s very own laboratories that “test” your blood continuously to make sure every electrolyte’s concentration is within the specific range that is necessary for your body to function. As an example, let’s consider an electrolyte inyour blood, like...

\( \newcommand\) • • • • • • The cortex and medulla make up two of the internal layers of a kidney and are composed of individual filtering units known as nephrons. Key Points • The renal cortex, renal medulla, and renal pelvis are the three main internal regions found in a kidney. • Nephrons, masses of tiny tubules, are largely located in the medulla and receive fluid from the blood vessels in the renal cortex. • The renal cortex produces erythropotein. • The kidneys are made up by three external layers, which include the renal fascia (the outermost layer), the perirenal fat capsule, and lastly, the innermost layer, the renal capsule, which then surround the space of the renal cortex. • The Bowman’s or renal capsule, located at one end of each nephron in the cortex of the kidney, is the blood-filtering region of the nephron. • The renal pelvis contains a hilium —the concave site in which the renal artery and vein and nerves enter the kidney and the ureter leaves the kidney. Key Terms • renal medulla: The inner-most region of the kidney, arranged into pyramid-like structures, that consists of the bulk of nephron structure. • renal cortex: The outer region of the kidney, between the renal capsule and the renal medulla, that consists of a space that contains blood vessels that connect to the nephrons. • nephron: The basic structural and functional unit of the kidney that filters the blood in order to regulate chemical concentrations and produce urine. There are three major r...

• 1 Anatomical Position • 2 Kidney Structure • 3 Anatomical Relations • 4 Arterial Supply • 4.1 Clinical Relevance: Variation in Arterial Supply to the Kidney • 5 Venous Drainage • 6 Lymphatics • 7 Clinical Relevance: Congenital Abnormalities of the Kidneys • 7.1 Pelvic Kidney • 7.2 Horseshoe Kidney • 8 Clinical Relevance – Renal Cell Carcinoma The kidneys are bilateral bean-shaped organs, reddish-brown in colour and located in the posterior abdomen. Their main function is to filter and excrete waste products from the blood. They are also responsible for water and electrolyte balance in the body. Metabolic waste and excess electrolytes are excreted by the kidneys to form urine. Urine is transported from the kidneys to the In this article we shall look at the anatomy of the kidneys – their anatomical position, internal structure and vasculature. Anatomical Position The kidneys lie retroperitoneally (behind the peritoneum) in the abdomen, either side of the vertebral column. They typically extend from T12 to L3, although the right kidney is often situated slightly lower due to the presence of the liver. Each kidney is approximately three vertebrae in length. The renal fascia. Kidney Structure The kidneys are encased in complex layers of fascia and fat. They are arranged as follows (deep to superficial): • Renal capsule – tough fibrous capsule. • Perirenal fat – collection of extraperitoneal fat. • Renal fascia (also known as Gerota’s fascia or perirenal fascia) – encloses th...