BRAINCAKEStructure and Function of the Kidney
Humans have two kidneys at the back of the abdomen. Each receives blood from a renal artery, a branch of the aorta, and returns it through a renal vein to the vena cava. Urine leaves each kidney through a ureter to the bladder, and is released through the urethra.
A kidney cut lengthways shows three regions:
• the outer cortex, containing the Bowman's capsules and convoluted tubules
• the inner medulla, containing the loops of Henle and collecting ducts, arranged in cone-shaped pyramids
• the renal pelvis, a cavity that collects urine and leads into the ureter
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More in Homeostasis
- Additional Responses
- Protein Homeostasis in the Liver
- Osmoregulation
- Osmoregulation in Mammals
- Ultrafiltration
- Selective Reabsorption
- Proximal Convoluted Tubule
- Loop of Henle
All 41 lessons in Homeostasis · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics