Human Kidney Structures Model

Quick Answer: The human kidney structures model is a teaching model of the internal anatomy of the kidney. It shows the kidney in section, with cortex, medulla, renal pyramids, calyces and renal pelvis, and models of this name usually add enlarged views of the nephron and glomerulus to explain how urine is formed.

Kidney Anatomy from Organ to Nephron

Cut lengthways, a kidney shows two main zones. The outer cortex looks granular because it contains the glomeruli; the inner medulla is arranged in cone-shaped renal pyramids whose tips, the papillae, point towards the centre. Urine drips from the papillae into cup-like minor calyces, which join into major calyces and then the funnel-shaped renal pelvis that narrows into the ureter. A kidney structures model lets students follow this collecting route from tissue to tube.

The working unit is the nephron, and there are around a million in each kidney. Where a model includes nephron and glomerulus enlargements, as models with this name commonly do, students can see how each part relates to the kidney section: glomeruli and convoluted tubules lie in the cortex, while loops of Henle and collecting ducts run down into the medulla. Which enlargements come with this model should be confirmed.

The three processes of urine formation follow from this layout. Filtration happens in the glomerulus, most useful substances and water are reabsorbed in the tubules, and some wastes are actively secreted into the tubule. The arrangement of loops and ducts in the medulla is what allows the kidney to produce concentrated urine.

Applications

Identifying the regions of the kidney in section in secondary biology
Explaining filtration, reabsorption and secretion in the nephron
Nursing lessons on the urinary system and the effects of kidney disease
Comparing the model with a dissected sheep or goat kidney in practical classes

Specifications

Model of	Human kidney internal structure
Section shows	Cortex, medulla, renal pyramids, calyces, renal pelvis, ureter
Functional unit	Nephron, with enlarged views where included
Teaching use	Excretion and urine formation
Pieces included and mounting	Confirm at enquiry

Care & Handling

Keep the parts of the kidney structures model together and check them after each class.
Clean with a soft cloth only; the fine tubules of any nephron enlargement are delicate.
Store in a closed cupboard to keep dust off the sectioned surfaces.

Why Choose LabEquip

Biology departments and nursing colleges buy this model to connect the visible anatomy of the kidney with the microscopic nephron. LabEquip lists it in biology lab products, and a free-standing version is available for bench demonstration. Use the contact page to ask which parts are included.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the renal cortex and medulla?

The cortex is the outer layer, containing the glomeruli and convoluted tubules. The medulla is the inner region of renal pyramids, containing the loops of Henle and collecting ducts that concentrate urine.

What is a nephron?

It is the functional unit of the kidney, made up of a glomerulus inside a Bowman’s capsule and a long tubule that modifies the filtrate into urine. Each kidney contains around a million nephrons.

How is urine formed?

In three stages: filtration of blood plasma in the glomerulus, reabsorption of useful substances and most of the water in the tubules, and secretion of some wastes into the tubule.

What are the renal calyces?

They are cup-shaped chambers that collect urine from the tips of the renal pyramids. Minor calyces join into major calyces, which empty into the renal pelvis.