Genitourinary

• Kidney - know that the cortex is the area with the renal corpuscles in it. The medulla has just tubes. Be able to tell the difference between proximal and distal tubule, the proximal is “pinker and fuzzier” while the distal is more regular and has a larger lumen. Also don’t forget about *podocyte cell-which is a stupid cell that sticks out from the glomerulus. Also know the parietal layer of Bowman’s capsule which is the squamous lining. Make sure you know the *Macula Densa which is just a row of cuboidal cells within the distal tubule that lies right next to the glomerulus. This is a chemoreceptor.

• Bladder - just know that it has transitional epithelium (dome shaped cells and may be bi-nucleate)
  Compare ureter with seminole vessicle, fallopian tube, vas defrens. Just be able to identify those

• Epididymis - Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia. Be able to ID organ

• Testes – has a unique epithelium. You will have to be able to tell the difference between the different cell types i.e. Sertoli, Leydig, spermatogonia etc. Use the Wheater’s atlas for that, it is very good. Also, know what hormones influence these cells i.e. FSH, LH

• Vagina – compare to esophagus, has no glands, also the cells in the epithelium (stratified squamous non-keratinized) look empty. This is because they are loaded with glycogen that is evacuated in the preparation.

• Cervix be able to ID, it has a region where the epithelium changes to stratified squamous non-keratinized

• Uterus – mucosa, endometrium, know the two different types of cells i.e. ciliated and secretory

• Prostate – compare to seminal vessicle, ID by concretions

Category: Anatomy Notes