Page 1 of 3 Renal histology & function Renal Biology L1

Kidney Functions
Independently vary minerals level

Regulation of water - increase Na+ while reducing K+

Vary water output to match water intake.

- Low O2

- Produce & release Erythropoietin (EPO) released by fibroblast cell in

Regulation of erythrocyte interstitium

- EPO stimulate bone marrow

- Bone marrow increase erythrocyte production

- Synthesis active form of Vit D (CALCITRIOL)
Regulation of Vit D - Calcitriol promote Calcium & phosphate absorption from gut

production - Synthesis rate controlled by hormone that control CA & P balance

Regulation of Arterial - Produce RAAS (Renin-Angiostensin-Aldosterone System)
Blood supply
Excretion of:

- Protein—> urea

Excretion of metabolic - Nucleic Acid—> Uric acid

waste - Muscle creatinine—>Creatinine

- Drugs & hormone

Gluconeogenesis Synthesis glucose during fasting state

**Perinephric fat & Perinephric fascia

Hilum: encloses adrenal gland which produces
- Renal artery aldosterone.
- Renal Vein
- Renal pelvis >>Predominant tissue: Fibrous CT
- Lymphatics
- Renal Nerve Blood flow:
• Renal A.
• Segmental A.
• Interlobar A.
Urine Flow • Arcuate A. (@corticomedullary junction)
• Papillia of pyramid • Interlobular A.
• Minor calyces • Afferent A.
• Major calyces • Glomerulus
• Renal pelvis • Bowman’s capsule
• Ureter (have valves) • Efferent A.

STRUCTURE OF NEPHRON
Renal Corpuscle (site of filtration)
Bowman’s capsule Cortex
Glomerulus ; tuft of capillaries

Cortex
Glomerular capillary– PODOCYTE
Renal Tubule (epithelial cell: single layer)
Bowman’s space Cortex
Proximal convoluted tubule Cortex
Proximal Straight Tubule (Pars Recta) Outer Medulla
Descending thin Loop of Henle Inner Medulla
Ascending thin Loop of Henle Inner Medulla
Ascending thick Loop of Henle Outer Medulla
Distal Convoluted Tubule Cortex
Connecting Tubule Cortex
Collecting Duct Cortex, Medulla, Papillary
Page 2 of 3 Renal histology & function Renal Biology L1
TYPE OF NEPHRON
Cortical Nephron /
Juxtamedullary Nephron (15%)
Superficial nephron (85%)
Outer cortex Corpuscle Inner cortex

Barely penetrate medulla Loop of Henle Deep in medulla

Efferent>Peritubular Efferent>Loop of Henle>

Blood supply
capillaries>Interlobular vein Vasa recta> Interlobular vein
Reabsorption

Function Formation of concentrated & diluted urine

Blood back to vein
Outer cortex Gromeruli position Near cortical-medullary boundary

Epithelial Cells of renal tubule: single layer

Squamous Thin descending & ascending -
Cuboidal Proximal tubule With extended brush border ; occluded lumen due to
presence of microvilli for absorption
Thick ascending With invaginated basolateral membrane
Columnar Collecting duct Two main cell types:

- principal cells (NaCl reabsorption & K+ secretion)

- Intercalated disc (acid-base balance)

Internal Structure of Kidney

Cortex Glomeruli of nephron
Medulla - Outer medulla (adjacent to cortex)

- Inner medulla

Nephrons tubules
Renal pelvis - Minor calyces

- Major calyces

Structure that makes up Juxtamedullary Apparatus:

thick ascending & distal
Macula densa Salt sensor
convoluted tubule
Extraglomeruar mesangial cell
In between afferent & efferent regulate blood flow
(LACIS Cell)
Granular cell Manufacture, store & release
Afferent arteriole
(juxtaglomerular cell) hormone RENIN

Urine Flow Blood flow:

• Papillia of pyramid • Renal A.
• Minor calyces • Segmental A.
• Major calyces • Interlobar A. (Cortex)
• Renal pelvis • Arcuate A. (At corticomedullary boundary)
• Ureter (Have valves) • Interlobular A. (In cortex)
• Ureter Jet • Afferent A.
• Urinary bladder • Glomerulus
• Internal Urethral sphincter (involuntary & • Bowman’s capsule
smooth muscle)
• (membranous) Urethra • Efferent A.
• External urethral sphincter (voluntary &
skeletal muscle)
Page 3 of 3 Renal histology & function Renal Biology L1
FILTERED BLOOD (urine) ULFILTERED BLOOD
• Aorta • Aorta
• Renal A. • Renal A.
• Segmental A. • Segmental A.
• Interlobar A. • Interlobar A.
• Arcuate A. • Arcuate A.
• Interlobular A. • Interlobular A.
• Afferent A. • Afferent A.
• Glomerulus • Glomerulus (capillaries)
• Bowman’s capsule • Bowman’s capsule
• Bowman’s space • Efferent A.
• Proximal convoluted tubule • Peritubular capillaries (corticol nephron)
• Proximal Straight Tubule (Pars Recta) • Vasa Recta capillaries (juxtamedullary nephron)
• Descending thin Loop of Henle • Interlobular A.
• Ascending thin Loop of Henle • Arcuate A.
• Ascending thick Loop of Henle • Interlobar A.
• Distal Convoluted Tubule • Segmental A.
• Connecting Tubule • Renal Vein
• Collecting Duct • Inferior Vena Cava
• Minor Calyx
• Major calyces
• Renal pelvis
• Ureter (have valves)