Identify the main regions of a human kidney
Locate the kidney capsule, cortex, medulla, renal pelvis, ureter and major vessels.
Section 14.1 · Homeostasis in mammals
A Level; Cambridge International Biology 9700, 2028–2030. Written answers are self-checked; this is not a practical skills certification.
Before you begin
- A control system detects a change, communicates information and changes an effector response.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which structure carries urine away from the kidney?
What you will learn
- Identify the kidney's named regions and vessels
- Trace urine from the kidney into the ureter
Kidney section and flow
| Feature | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cortex and medulla | Outer and deeper kidney regions |
| Renal pelvis | Collects urine before it enters the ureter |
| Renal artery / vein | Bring blood in / carry blood away |
Build the explanation
The fibrous capsule surrounds the kidney. Beneath it, the cortex forms the outer region and the medulla lies deeper. Urine drains into the renal pelvis and leaves through the ureter. Branches of the renal artery bring blood to the kidney; branches of the renal vein carry blood away. The kidney's internal regions are tissue areas, while the pelvis collects urine.
Apply the limits
A labelled section is a simplified view and does not show every branch or nephron. The ureter carries urine away from the kidney; renal vessels carry blood, not urine.
Pause and explain
A kidney section has a label at the outer fibrous covering. Identify it and explain how the labels for artery, vein and ureter should differ.
Worked example
Trace urine from the medulla to the bladder-bound tube.
Show the worked solution
- Urine drains from collecting structures into the renal pelvis.
- It then leaves the kidney through the ureter.
Answer Medulla region → renal pelvis → ureter.
Try a topic test
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Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Name the outer and deeper kidney regions and state where urine collects before leaving.
Give me a hint
Name the relevant structure or signal, then state its effect.
Compare my reasoning
- The cortex is outer; medulla is deeper.
- Urine collects in the renal pelvis before entering the ureter.
The cortex is the outer region and the medulla lies deeper. Urine drains to the renal pelvis before leaving through the ureter.
Look for these in your work
- Correct mechanism
- Direction of response explained
A student says renal-vein branches transport urine to the bladder. Correct the statement.
Give me a hint
Separate the observed change from the body's response.
Compare my reasoning
- The renal vein carries blood away from the kidney.
- The ureter transports urine away from the kidney.
Renal-vein branches carry blood away. Urine flows through the renal pelvis and leaves via the ureter.
Look for these in your work
- Evidence interpreted
- Control step identified
A kidney section has a label at the outer fibrous covering. Identify it and explain how the labels for artery, vein and ureter should differ.
Give me a hint
Apply the mechanism to the new context without claiming more than the evidence shows.
Compare my reasoning
- The covering is the fibrous capsule.
- Artery and vein carry blood; ureter carries urine.
The outer covering is the fibrous capsule. The renal artery brings blood in, the renal vein carries blood away, and the ureter carries collected urine away.
Look for these in your work
- New context applied
- Limits preserved
Common mistakes
- Confusing renal pelvis with renal artery
- Describing the ureter as a blood vessel
What can you explain now?
Which structure carries urine away from the kidney?
Compare with the explanation
The ureter
The renal pelvis collects urine; the ureter carries it onward.
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Make it stick
How do blood vessels and the ureter differ in what they carry?
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