This illustration provides a longitudinal section of the kidney, giving insight into its internal structures and the flow of blood and urine through the organ.
At the outermost part of the kidney is the cortex, a light-colored zone that encircles the medulla. The cortex is the area where blood filtration begins, and it contains the glomeruli, the small but critical structures where blood is initially filtered.
Below the cortex lies the medulla, which is comprised of several cone-shaped tissues called renal pyramids. The bases of these pyramids face outward toward the cortex, and they taper into structures known as papillae at their innermost ends.
The papillae extend into minor calyces, which are cup-shaped structures that collect the urine. Several minor calyces merge to form a major calyx, and the major calyces converge to create the renal pelvis. This funnel-shaped structure is the area where urine collects before flowing into the ureter.
The ureter is the tube that transports urine from the kidney to the bladder. It extends from the renal pelvis and is depicted as a long, narrow duct exiting the kidney.
The renal artery and vein are shown entering and exiting the kidney at the hilum, the indented area on the kidney’s surface. The renal artery carries oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood into the kidney for filtration, while the renal vein carries filtered, deoxygenated blood away from the kidney.
The network of fine blood vessels spread throughout the cortex and extend into the medulla is also visible. These vessels are responsible for bringing blood to the nephrons, the functional units of the kidney, for filtration.
Overall, this diagram serves as a detailed map of kidney anatomy, delineating the pathways for both blood processing and urine formation, which are vital functions of the renal system.
