Question 1

Cortical nephrons lack one portion of the renal tubule that is found in juxtamedullary nephrons, the:
A) thick segment of the ascending limb of the nephron loop (loop of Henle).
B) thin segment of the ascending limb of the nephron loop (loop of Henle).
C) proximal convoluted tubule.
D) distal convoluted tubule.

Accepted Answer

Cortical nephrons, which are located in the outer portion of the kidney, have a shorter nephron loop (loop of Henle) compared to juxtamedullary nephrons. Specifically, they often lack or have a significantly reduced thin segment of the ascending limb of the nephron loop, which is more prominent in juxtamedullary nephrons that extend deep into the medulla of the kidney. This adaptation is related to the differing roles of these nephron types in water and salt balance.

Question 2

Which structure(s) is/are made of skeletal muscle?
A) detrusor muscle (intermediate muscularis)
B) internal urethral sphincter
C) external urethral sphincter
D) detrusor muscle (intermediate muscularis) and external urethral sphincter

Accepted Answer

The external urethral sphincter is made of skeletal muscle, allowing voluntary control over urination.

Question 3

The concave border of the kidney faces the
A) vertebral column
B) diaphragm
C) pelvis
D) urinary bladder

Accepted Answer

The concave border of the kidney faces the vertebral column, where the renal hilum is located.

Question 4

The visceral layer of the glomerular capsule (Bowman's capsule):
A) forms the outermost (superficial) wall of the capsule.
B) contains cells called podocytes.
C) consists of extracellular material.
D) none of these choices

Accepted Answer

The visceral layer of the glomerular capsule is closely associated with the glomerular capillaries and contains specialized cells called podocytes, which play a crucial role in the filtration process in the kidney.

Question 5

The two portions of a nephron that commonly contribute to the juxtaglomerular apparatus are the:
A) glomerulus and distal convoluted tubule.
B) descending limb of nephron loop (loop of Henle) and efferent arteriole.
C) final part of ascending limb of nephron loop (loop of Henle) and afferent arteriole.
D) glomerulus and collecting duct.

Accepted Answer

The juxtaglomerular apparatus is a structure in the kidney that regulates the function of each nephron, the functional units of the kidney. It is formed by the final part of the ascending limb of the nephron loop (loop of Henle) as it makes contact with the afferent arteriole supplying blood to the glomerulus. This apparatus is crucial for the regulation of blood pressure and the filtration rate of the kidneys.

Question 6

Which of the following structures normally transport blood? 
1) glomerular (Bowman's) capsule
2) glomerulus
3) efferent arteriole
4) nephron loop (loop of Henle)
5) collecting duct
6) vasa recta
A) 1, 4 and 5
B) 2, 3 and 6
C) 4 and 5 only
D) 3 and 6 only

Accepted Answer

The glomerulus, efferent arteriole, and vasa recta are structures involved in the transport of blood within the kidney. The glomerulus is a network of capillaries involved in the filtration of blood, the efferent arteriole carries blood away from the glomerulus, and the vasa recta are capillary networks that surround the nephron loop (loop of Henle) and are involved in the reabsorption of water and solutes.

Question 7

Which of the following structures is NOT a portion of a nephron?
A) vasa recta
B) nephron loop (loop of Henle)
C) distal convoluted tubule
D) proximal convoluted tubule

Accepted Answer

The vasa recta is not a portion of the nephron; it is a network of capillaries that surrounds the nephron and is involved in the exchange of substances with the nephron, but it is not part of the nephron itself. The nephron loop (loop of Henle), distal convoluted tubule, and proximal convoluted tubule are all parts of the nephron.

Question 8

Juxtaglomerular cells:
A) have receptors for both antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and aldosterone.
B) are found in the macula densa.
C) are modified smooth muscle fibers (cells) in the wall of the afferent arteriole.
D) are found in the distal convoluted tubules and collecting duct.

Accepted Answer

Juxtaglomerular cells are specialized cells in the walls of the afferent arterioles that lead into the glomeruli of the kidney. These cells are indeed modified smooth muscle fibers and play a crucial role in the regulation of blood pressure through the renin-angiotensin system. They are not located in the macula densa, nor do they have receptors for ADH or aldosterone, and they are not found in the distal convoluted tubules or collecting ducts.

Question 9

Trace the route of an oxygenated red blood cell from the time it passes into the kidney in a renal artery until it enters a venule as a deoxygenated red blood cell by placing the following vessels in their correct order: 
1) segmental artery
2) arcuate artery
3) interlobar artery
4) peritubular capillary
5) afferent arteriole
6) peritubular venule
7) efferent arteriole
8) cortical radiate artery
9) glomerular capillaries
A) 1, 3, 2, 8, 5, 9, 7, 4, 6
B) 3, 2, 1, 8, 4, 7, 9, 5, 6
C) 1, 8, 2, 3, 7, 9, 5, 4, 6
D) 1, 2, 3, 8, 5, 9, 7, 6, 4

Accepted Answer

The correct sequence for the flow of an oxygenated red blood cell through the kidney starts with the segmental artery (1), followed by the interlobar artery (3), the arcuate artery (2), the cortical radiate artery (8), the afferent arteriole (5), the glomerular capillaries (9), the efferent arteriole (7), the peritubular capillary (4), and finally into the peritubular venule (6). This sequence reflects the path from larger arteries entering the kidney, through the filtration process in the nephron, and out via the venous system.

Question 10

The shortest portion of the male urethra is the _____.
A) spongy urethra
B) membranous (intermediate) urethra
C) prostatic urethra
D) penile urethra

Accepted Answer

The membranous (intermediate) urethra is the shortest portion of the male urethra, running through the urogenital diaphragm from the prostate to the beginning of the spongy urethra.

Question 11

Three layers of tissue surround each kidney. They are, in order from innermost (deepest) to outermost (most superficial): 
1) renal capsule
2) visceral peritoneum (serosa)
3) adipose capsule
4) renal fascia
A) 1, 3, 4
B) 2, 3, 4
C) 1, 3, 2
D) 4, 3, 1

Accepted Answer

The correct order from innermost to outermost is: 1) renal capsule, 3) adipose capsule, and 4) renal fascia. The visceral peritoneum is not part of the kidney's surrounding tissue layers.

Question 12

The urinary bladder is posterior to the pubic symphysis in males. In females, the urinary bladder is posterior to the vagina.
A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true; the second is false.
D) The second statement is true; the first is false.

Accepted Answer

The urinary bladder is indeed posterior to the pubic symphysis in males, making the first statement true. However, the second statement is false because the urinary bladder is anterior to the vagina in females, not posterior.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT true regarding the location of the kidneys? A) They are partially protected by the floating ribs (11^th and 12^th pairs). B) The left kidney is slightly lower than the right. C) They are located between the peritoneum and the posterior wall of the abdomen. D) They are situated between the levels of the last thoracic and third lumbar vertebrae.

Accepted Answer

The left kidney is actually slightly higher than the right, not lower. This is due to the presence of the liver on the right side of the body, which displaces the right kidney downwards.

Question 14

Normally, urine is prevented from backing up into the ureters from a full bladder due to:
A) gravity.
B) hydrostatic pressure from the renal pelvis.
C) sphincters (anatomical valves) at the junctions of the ureters and bladder.
D) physiological valves where pressure in the bladder compresses oblique openings into the ureters.

Accepted Answer

Physiological valves at the junctions of the ureters and bladder prevent backflow by compressing the ureteral openings when bladder pressure increases.

Question 15

The right kidney is slightly lower than the left due to the position of which organ?
A) spleen
B) pancreas
C) lung
D) liver

Accepted Answer

The right kidney is slightly lower than the left kidney due to the presence of the liver on the right side of the body, which occupies considerable space and pushes the right kidney downwards.

Question 16

In severe cases of urinary incontinence, a suprapubic catheter (a tube placed in the bladder from the anterior abdominal wall) is used to aid in voiding urine. With the placement of this catheter, urine does not pass through the:
A) nephron
B) ureters
C) urethra
D) renal pelvis

Accepted Answer

With a suprapubic catheter, urine is diverted directly from the bladder to the outside of the body, bypassing the urethra. The nephron, ureters, and renal pelvis are still involved in the formation and passage of urine to the bladder.

Question 17

The internal urethral sphincter is formed by circular smooth muscle. The external urethral sphincter is derived from voluntary skeletal muscle.
A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true; the second is false.
D) The second statement is true; the first is false.

Accepted Answer

Both statements are accurate. The internal urethral sphincter is indeed formed by circular smooth muscle and is under involuntary control, typically managed by the autonomic nervous system. The external urethral sphincter, on the other hand, is made up of voluntary skeletal muscle, allowing for conscious control over urination.

Question 18

Which of the following structures would not be located entering/exiting the renal hilum?
A) blood vessel
B) lymphatic vessel
C) nerve
D) urethra

Accepted Answer

The urethra is not located at the renal hilum; it is involved in carrying urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. The renal hilum is the entry and exit site for structures such as blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves serving the kidneys.

Question 19

A nephron consists of two parts:
A) renal corpuscle and renal tubule.
B) glomerulus and glomerular capsule.
C) proximal and distal convoluted tubules.
D) glomerulus and collecting duct.

Accepted Answer

The nephron, the functional unit of the kidney, consists of two main parts: the renal corpuscle and the renal tubule. The renal corpuscle is involved in the filtration of blood, and the renal tubule is where the filtrate is modified to form urine.

Question 20

The lining of the male urethra contains:
A) transitional epithelium.
B) pseudostratified columnar epithelium.
C) stratified squamous epithelium.
D) all of these choices

Accepted Answer

The male urethra contains all of these types of epithelia: transitional epithelium in the prostatic urethra, pseudostratified columnar epithelium in the membranous and part of the spongy urethra, and stratified squamous epithelium in the distal part of the spongy urethra.

Quiz 25: The Urinary System

Cortical nephrons lack one portion of the renal tubule that is found in juxtamedullary nephrons, the:

Which structure(s) is/are made of skeletal muscle?

The concave border of the kidney faces the

The visceral layer of the glomerular capsule (Bowman's capsule) :

The two portions of a nephron that commonly contribute to the juxtaglomerular apparatus are the:

Which of the following structures normally transport blood? 1) glomerular (Bowman's) capsule 2) glomerulus 3) efferent arteriole 4) nephron loop (loop of Henle) 5) collecting duct 6) vasa recta

Which of the following structures is NOT a portion of a nephron?

Juxtaglomerular cells:

The shortest portion of the male urethra is the _____.

Three layers of tissue surround each kidney. They are, in order from innermost (deepest) to outermost (most superficial) : 1) renal capsule 2) visceral peritoneum (serosa) 3) adipose capsule 4) renal fascia

The urinary bladder is posterior to the pubic symphysis in males. In females, the urinary bladder is posterior to the vagina.

Which of the following is NOT true regarding the location of the kidneys?

Normally, urine is prevented from backing up into the ureters from a full bladder due to:

The right kidney is slightly lower than the left due to the position of which organ?

In severe cases of urinary incontinence, a suprapubic catheter (a tube placed in the bladder from the anterior abdominal wall) is used to aid in voiding urine. With the placement of this catheter, urine does not pass through the:

The internal urethral sphincter is formed by circular smooth muscle. The external urethral sphincter is derived from voluntary skeletal muscle.

Which of the following structures would not be located entering/exiting the renal hilum?

A nephron consists of two parts:

The lining of the male urethra contains: