The renal pelvis connects the kidney to the rest of the body. Learning Objectives Distinguish between the cortex and medulla in the internal anatomy of the kidney. 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 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. There are three major regions of the kidney: Renal cortex Renal medulla Renal pelvis The renal cortex is a space between the medulla and the outer capsule.
Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Kidney Overview. Medically reviewed by Carissa Stephens, R. The kidneys perform many crucial functions, including: maintaining overall fluid balance regulating and filtering minerals from blood filtering waste materials from food, medications, and toxic substances creating hormones that help produce red blood cells, promote bone health, and regulate blood pressure.
Renal corpuscle After blood enters a nephron, it goes into the renal corpuscle, also called a Malpighian body. The renal corpuscle contains two additional structures: The glomerulus. This is a cluster of capillaries that absorb protein from blood traveling through the renal corpuscle.
The Bowman capsule. The remaining fluid, called capsular urine, passes through the Bowman capsule into the renal tubules. Renal tubules The renal tubules are a series of tubes that begin after the Bowman capsule and end at collecting ducts. Each tubule has several parts: Proximal convoluted tubule. This section absorbs water, sodium, and glucose back into the blood.
Loop of Henle. This section further absorbs potassium, chloride, and sodium into the blood. Distal convoluted tubule. This section absorbs more sodium into the blood and takes in potassium and acid. Renal cortex. Renal medulla. Renal pyramids Renal pyramids are small structures that contain strings of nephrons and tubules. Once in the collecting duct, the fluid moves on to its final stops in the renal pelvis.
Renal pelvis. It functions as a pathway for fluid on its way to the bladder Calyces The first part of the renal pelvis contains the calyces.
Hilum The hilum is a small opening located on the inner edge of the kidney, where it curves inward to create its distinct beanlike shape. The renal pelvis passes through it, as well as the: Renal artery. This brings oxygenated blood from the heart to the kidney for filtration.
Renal vein. This carries filtered blood from the kidneys back to the heart. Ureter The ureter is a tube of muscle that pushes urine into the bladder, where it collects and exits the body.
Kidney diagram. Use this interactive 3-D diagram to explore the kidney. Kidney conditions. Some of these conditions include: chronic kidney disease kidney failure kidney stones glomerulonephritis acute nephritis polycystic kidney disease urinary tract infections caliectasis acidosis uremia hydronephrosis pyelonephritis kidney cysts nephrotic syndrome azotemia Learn more about some of the most common kidney diseases.
Symptoms of a kidney problem. Kidney conditions can cause a range of symptoms. Some common ones include: trouble sleeping fatigue inability to concentrate dry, itchy skin increased or decreased urination blood in urine foamy urine puffiness around the eyes foot or ankle swelling reduced appetite muscle cramps If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor.
Tips for healthy kidneys. Follow these tips to keep them working efficiently: Avoid extra salt Eating a lot of salty foods can disrupt the balance of minerals in the blood. Try swapping out processed foods — which usually have a lot of added salt — for whole foods, such as: fresh fruits and vegetables lean cuts of meat nuts Exercise High blood pressure is a known risk factor for chronic kidney disease.
Stay hydrated Drinking plenty of water helps the kidneys perform one of their most important functions: removing toxins. The kidneys reabsorb vital substances, remove unwanted ones, and return the filtered blood back to the body.
The kidneys are located behind the peritoneum, and so are called retroperitoneal organs. They sit in the back of the abdomen between the levels of the T12 and L03 vertebrae.
The right kidney is slightly lower than the left kidney to accommodate the liver. Both kidneys are bean-shaped and about the size of an adult fist. Blood enters the kidneys through renal arteries.
These arteries branch into tiny capillaries that interact with urinary structures inside the kidneys namely the nephrons. Here the blood is filtered. Waste is removed and vital substances are reabsorbed back into the bloodstream. The filtered blood leaves through the renal veins. Each kidney consists of an outer renal cortex, an inner renal medulla, and a renal pelvis. Blood is filtered in the renal cortex. The renal medulla contains the renal pyramids, where urine formation takes place.
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