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Foundations of the Renal System
0/5
Anatomy of the Renal System
10:29
Physiology of the Renal System
10:39
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Homeostasis
15:28
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)
13:50
End of Topic Quiz
00:30:00
Renal Pathophysiology and Diseases
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Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
16:03
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
08:39
Glomerular Diseases
18:00
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
08:47
Renal Stones (Nephrolithiasis)
15:00
Renal Infections
07:02
End of Topic Quiz
00:30:00
Pharmacology and Therapeutics in Renal Disease
0/6
Drug Dosing in Renal Impairment
09:18
Diuretics and Fluid Management
08:56
Anaemia of CKD and Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents
06:04
Management of Bone and Mineral Disorders in CKD
09:14
Antihypertensive Therapy in Renal Disease
12:40
Renal Drug Handling & CKD Pharmacology Quiz
00:30:00
Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT)
0/5
Principles of Renal Replacement Therapy
03:38
Haemodialysis (HD)
06:18
Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)
14:38
Renal Transplantation
05:34
End of Topic Quiz
00:30:00
Diagnostic Tools in Renal Disease
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Laboratory Investigations
16:41
Imaging in Renal Disease
03:52
Kidney Biopsy
08:30
Renal Diagnostics & Investigations Quiz
00:30:00
UK-Specific Guidelines and Clinical Practice
0/3
NICE Guidelines for AKI and CKD Management
28:33
Renal Disease in Primary Care
29:06
NICE AKI & CKD Quiz
00:15:00
Case Studies
0/2
Clinical Case Study 1: Mr Smith’s Declining Renal Function
Clinical Case Study 2: Ms Taylor’s Sudden Kidney Deterioration
Renal System

Structure of the Kidneys

🏰 A. Three Main Layers

Layer Description
Renal Capsule Outer fibrous protective covering
Renal Cortex Contains nephrons (filters); brown-red + grainy
Renal Medulla Contains renal pyramids; smooth texture

🧊 B. Renal Drainage Pathway

Renal Papilla → Minor Calices → Major Calices → Renal Pelvis → Ureter

  • Renal Lobe = Renal pyramid + overlying cortex

  • Renal Hilum = Entry/exit for renal artery, vein, ureter

🧪 C. Nephrons (≈1 million/kidney)

Structure Function
Glomerulus Filtration via capillary network
Bowman’s Capsule Encloses glomerulus
Podocytes Specialised cells for selective filtration
Tubules Reabsorption and secretion
Loop of Henle In medulla; concentrates urine
Collecting Ducts Final urine concentration

Renal Blood Supply

🔴 A. Main Supply

  • Renal Arteries: From abdominal aorta

  • Right is longer; passes behind IVC

  • Branches: Inferior suprarenal artery, anterior/posterior divisions

🌳 B. Intrarenal Branching

Renal Artery → Segmental → Interlobar → Arcuate → Interlobular

💉 C. Microcirculation

Vessel Role
Afferent arteriole Brings blood to glomerulus
Efferent arteriole Exits glomerulus
Peritubular Capillaries Surround cortical tubules (reabsorption)
Vasa Recta Surround Loop of Henle; maintain medullary gradient

Urine Flow Pathway

🚰 A. Ureters

  • 9-inch muscular tubes

  • Connect renal pelvis → bladder

🫙 B. Urinary Bladder

  • Muscular reservoir (~500 mL capacity)

  • Expands as it fills; located in pelvis

🧵 C. Urethra

  • Tube from bladder → outside world

  • Sphincters regulate flow

    • Internal & external (voluntary control)

  • Female: short; opens into perineum

  • Male: longer; passes through penis

Summary Flowchart

Nephron (glomerulus + tubules)
↓
Collecting ducts → Renal papilla
↓
Minor calices → Major calices
↓
Renal pelvis → Ureter
↓
Bladder → Urethra → Exit

References

  1. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Renal Cortex: Function and Anatomy. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23127-renal-cortex

  2. TeachMeAnatomy. (n.d.). Kidney – Gross Anatomy and Structure. Retrieved from https://teachmeanatomy.info/abdomen/viscera/kidney/

  3. Yu, J., & McMahon, A. P. (2007). Kidney development and the origins of renal cortex and medulla. In Kidney Development [Figure]. In Kidney Development in the Mouse. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK27080/figure/mousekidneydevelopment.F1/

  4. Jansen, K. (2022). Kidney Anatomy. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482248/

  5. Kenhub. (n.d.). Renal Artery – Anatomy and Function. Retrieved from https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/renal-artery

  6. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Urinary System: Organs, Function, and Conditions. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21197-urinary-system

  7. SEER Training. (n.d.). Urinary System – Components and Functions. Retrieved from https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/urinary/components/

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