Objectives

After following this topic, and any additional reading, you should know

1. The organisation and functions of the urinary system.
2. The organisation of the kidney, and the organisation and functions of the nephron and conducting tubules.
3. How to recognise and identify the five major segments of the nephron: renal corpuscles, proximal and distal convoluted tubules, loops of Henle and collecting tubules, and appreciate how the histological structure of these components is related to their functions.
4. The components of the glomerulus that filter urine, and the function of each component.
5. The structure of the urinary epithelium and describe the ways in which it is adapted for its function.
6. Recognise and describe sections of ureter and bladder.
7. How to recognise what's gone wrong, in a damaged kidney.