| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Renal Cortex | The outer region of the kidney that is lighter in appearances and has two subdivisions: and outer (cortical zone) division and a juxtamedullary division |
| Renal Medulla | The inner darker region of the kidney; deep reddish-brown in color |
| Renal pyramid | The triangular structures of the renal medulla in each kidney; approx 8-18 in each kidney |
| Renal papilla | A small hole at the apex of each renal pyramid |
| Minor calyx | A duct that channels off the renal papilla that channels urine toward the major calyces |
| Major calyx | Formed from the unison of minor calyces and drains urine into the renal pelvis |
| Renal pelvis | Single large cavity where urine drains into before entering the ureter |
| Renal sinus | A cavity within the kidney is formed from the hilum and contains part of the renal pelvis, the calyces, and branches of the renal blood vessels and nerves; is held in place by adipose tissue |
| Renal columns | Extension of the renal cortex that seperates the renal pyramids |
| Nephron | Microscopic filtering units of the kidney located mainly in the cortex and extends into the medulla; each kidney has about 1 million nephrons |
| Glomerulus | Mass of capillaries that is specialized in filtration; most porous capillaries in the body; considerably high pressure for a capillary bed - designed for filtration; supplied by afferent arterioles and drained by efferent arterioles |
| Endothelial capsular membrane | The filter between the glomerulus and the Bowman's capsule |
| Endothelium of glomerulus | Capillary wall; prevents filtration of blood cells but allows all the components of blood plasma to pass through |
| Basement membrane of glomerulus | Basal lamina; filters out large proteins |
| Visceral bowmans capsule | Inner wall of the bowmans capsule; filters out remaining proteins |
Combine with other sets
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