Anatomy of kidney MCQs With Answer is an essential resource for B. Pharm students studying renal anatomy, nephron structure, and renal blood supply. This concise, exam-focused introduction covers kidney landmarks, cortical and medullary organization, nephron segments (Bowman’s capsule, proximal tubule, loop of Henle, distal tubule, collecting duct), and associated vasculature like afferent/efferent arterioles, peritubular capillaries and vasa recta. Emphasis on histology, structural-functional correlations, and clinical relevance helps pharmacy students master kidney anatomy for pharmacology, renal drug handling, and therapeutic decision-making. Targeted practice with answers sharpens recall and boosts exam performance. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which structure forms the initial site of ultrafiltration in the nephron?
- Proximal convoluted tubule
- Loop of Henle
- Bowman’s capsule and glomerulus
- Collecting duct
Correct Answer: Bowman’s capsule and glomerulus
Q2. The renal cortex primarily contains which of the following?
- Renal papillae and pelvis
- Glomeruli and convoluted tubules
- Major calyces
- Ureters
Correct Answer: Glomeruli and convoluted tubules
Q3. Which vessel directly branches off the renal artery inside the kidney?
- Interlobular artery
- Segmental artery
- Afferent arteriole
- Arcuate artery
Correct Answer: Segmental artery
Q4. The loop of Henle is primarily responsible for which function?
- Filtration of plasma
- Concentration of urine via countercurrent exchange
- Secretion of aldosterone
- Glucose reabsorption
Correct Answer: Concentration of urine via countercurrent exchange
Q5. Which cells form the visceral layer of Bowman’s capsule?
- Podocytes
- Intercalated cells
- Principal cells
- Transitional epithelial cells
Correct Answer: Podocytes
Q6. The juxtaglomerular apparatus includes all EXCEPT which component?
- Macula densa
- Juxtaglomerular (granular) cells
- Mesangial cells
- Collecting duct principal cells
Correct Answer: Collecting duct principal cells
Q7. Which artery runs along the corticomedullary junction?
- Interlobar artery
- Arcuate artery
- Interlobular artery
- Segmental artery
Correct Answer: Arcuate artery
Q8. What epithelium lines the proximal convoluted tubule?
- Simple squamous epithelium
- Transitional epithelium
- Simple cuboidal epithelium with brush border
- Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Correct Answer: Simple cuboidal epithelium with brush border
Q9. Which structure collects urine from the renal papillae?
- Minor calyx
- Renal corpuscle
- Interlobar sinus
- Glomerular space
Correct Answer: Minor calyx
Q10. The main functional unit of the kidney is:
- Nephron
- Renal lobe
- Renal pyramid
- Collecting system
Correct Answer: Nephron
Q11. Juxtamedullary nephrons are distinguished by:
- Short loops of Henle confined to cortex
- Long loops of Henle extending deep into medulla
- Absence of glomeruli
- Direct drainage into renal vein
Correct Answer: Long loops of Henle extending deep into medulla
Q12. Which structure forms the outer covering of the kidney?
- Renal fascia (Gerota’s fascia)
- Fibrous renal capsule
- Peritoneum
- Pelvic fascia
Correct Answer: Fibrous renal capsule
Q13. Which of these is true about afferent and efferent arterioles?
- The efferent arteriole brings blood into the glomerulus
- Afferent arteriole carries filtered urine
- Afferent arteriole supplies blood to glomerulus; efferent carries blood away
- Both are part of the renal vein system
Correct Answer: Afferent arteriole supplies blood to glomerulus; efferent carries blood away
Q14. The filtration barrier of the glomerulus includes all EXCEPT:
- Fenestrated endothelium
- Basement membrane
- Podocyte slit diaphragms
- Transition epithelium
Correct Answer: Transition epithelium
Q15. Which cells provide structural support and phagocytic activity within the glomerulus?
- Mesangial cells
- Podocytes
- Endothelial cells
- Principal cells
Correct Answer: Mesangial cells
Q16. The renal pelvis drains into which structure?
- Major calyces
- Ureter
- Minor calyces
- Collecting ducts
Correct Answer: Ureter
Q17. What is the approximate average number of nephrons in a normal adult kidney?
- About 10 million
- About 1 million
- About 100 thousand
- About 10 thousand
Correct Answer: About 1 million
Q18. Which part of the nephron is most active in reabsorbing sodium and water?
- Distal convoluted tubule
- Proximal convoluted tubule
- Glomerulus
- Collecting duct only
Correct Answer: Proximal convoluted tubule
Q19. The renal hilum contains all of the following EXCEPT:
- Renal artery
- Renal vein
- Ureter
- Renal pyramids
Correct Answer: Renal pyramids
Q20. Which structure is lined by transitional epithelium (urothelium)?
- Renal capsule
- Proximal tubule
- Ureter and renal pelvis
- Collecting duct epithelium
Correct Answer: Ureter and renal pelvis
Q21. The vasa recta are most closely associated with which nephron type?
- Cortical nephrons only
- Juxtamedullary nephrons
- All nephrons equally
- Nephrons without loops
Correct Answer: Juxtamedullary nephrons
Q22. Which hormone is secreted by juxtaglomerular cells?
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
- Renin
- Aldosterone
- Erythropoietin
Correct Answer: Renin
Q23. Which of the following describes the medullary ray?
- Collection of glomeruli near the capsule
- Radial striations in cortex composed of straight tubules and collecting ducts
- Conical structure forming the renal lobe
- Major calyx extension into cortex
Correct Answer: Radial striations in cortex composed of straight tubules and collecting ducts
Q24. Epithelial cells of the distal convoluted tubule lack which feature compared to proximal tubule cells?
- Basement membrane
- Brush border (microvilli)
- Mitochondria
- Nuclei
Correct Answer: Brush border (microvilli)
Q25. Which nerve fibers supply sympathetic innervation to the kidney?
- Pudendal nerve
- Renal plexus from thoracic splanchnic nerves
- Vagus nerve only
- Pelvic splanchnic nerves
Correct Answer: Renal plexus from thoracic splanchnic nerves
Q26. Which structure marks the apex of a renal pyramid?
- Renal papilla
- Renal cortex
- Interstitial space
- Minor calyx lumen
Correct Answer: Renal papilla
Q27. The primary site of bicarbonate reabsorption in the nephron is:
- Loop of Henle
- Proximal convoluted tubule
- Collecting duct
- Glomerulus
Correct Answer: Proximal convoluted tubule
Q28. Which structure separates the renal cortex into lobules?
- Interlobar arteries
- Interlobular arteries
- Renal columns
- Arcuate arteries
Correct Answer: Renal columns
Q29. Podocyte foot processes are connected by which specialized structure?
- Desmosomes
- Tight junctions
- Slit diaphragms
- Gap junctions
Correct Answer: Slit diaphragms
Q30. Renal cortical nephrons typically have which characteristic?
- Very long loops penetrating deep medulla
- Glomeruli located near outer cortex and short loops
- Lack proximal tubules
- Drain directly into renal vein
Correct Answer: Glomeruli located near outer cortex and short loops
Q31. Which cell type in the collecting duct responds to ADH by increasing water permeability?
- Podocytes
- Principal cells
- Mesangial cells
- Intercalated cells type A
Correct Answer: Principal cells
Q32. The renal capsule is directly surrounded externally by which layer?
- Renal fascia
- Perinephric (perirenal) fat
- Parietal peritoneum
- Renal sinus
Correct Answer: Perinephric (perirenal) fat
Q33. Which portion of the nephron is impermeable to water under normal conditions?
- Descending limb of loop of Henle
- Thin ascending limb of loop of Henle
- Proximal convoluted tubule
- Collecting duct when ADH present
Correct Answer: Thin ascending limb of loop of Henle
Q34. The renal artery enters the kidney at which anatomical location?
- Renal cortex
- Renal hilum
- Renal papilla
- Renal capsule
Correct Answer: Renal hilum
Q35. Which structure primarily senses tubular sodium concentration to regulate GFR?
- Podocytes
- Macula densa
- Interlobar artery
- Collecting duct cells
Correct Answer: Macula densa
Q36. The renal sinus contains all EXCEPT:
- Renal pelvis
- Major and minor calyces
- Renal cortex tissue
- Fat and blood vessels
Correct Answer: Renal cortex tissue
Q37. Which vessel drains blood from the kidney back to the inferior vena cava?
- Renal vein
- Renal artery
- Segmental vein
- Interlobular artery
Correct Answer: Renal vein
Q38. Erythropoietin is primarily produced by which cells in the kidney?
- Glomerular endothelial cells
- Interstitial fibroblast-like cells in the cortex
- Collecting duct principal cells
- Juxtaglomerular granular cells
Correct Answer: Interstitial fibroblast-like cells in the cortex
Q39. Which of the following best describes the blood supply sequence from renal artery to glomerular capillaries?
- Renal artery → interlobar → arcuate → interlobular → afferent arteriole
- Renal artery → arcuate → interlobular → interlobar → efferent arteriole
- Renal artery → interlobular → interlobar → arcuate → afferent arteriole
- Renal artery → afferent arteriole → arcuate → interlobular → glomerulus
Correct Answer: Renal artery → interlobar → arcuate → interlobular → afferent arteriole
Q40. Which structure in the nephron secretes hydrogen ions to regulate acid-base balance?
- Proximal tubule and intercalated cells of collecting duct
- Glomerulus only
- Arcuate artery
- Renal capsule
Correct Answer: Proximal tubule and intercalated cells of collecting duct
Q41. The cortical labyrinth refers to which kidney region?
- Area containing renal pyramids
- Region containing glomeruli and convoluted tubules
- Central sinus area with vessels
- Hilum only
Correct Answer: Region containing glomeruli and convoluted tubules
Q42. Which histological feature distinguishes collecting ducts from proximal tubules?
- Presence of brush border in collecting ducts
- Collecting ducts have more distinct cell boundaries and lack brush border
- Collecting ducts have fenestrated endothelium
- Proximal tubules have transitional epithelium
Correct Answer: Collecting ducts have more distinct cell boundaries and lack brush border
Q43. Which embryologic structure gives rise to the ureter and renal pelvis?
- Metanephric mesoderm only
- Ureteric bud (metanephric diverticulum)
- Pronephros
- Mullerian duct
Correct Answer: Ureteric bud (metanephric diverticulum)
Q44. The pressure responsible for glomerular filtration is primarily:
- Oncotic pressure in Bowman’s space
- Hydrostatic pressure in glomerular capillaries
- Atmospheric pressure
- Lymphatic pressure
Correct Answer: Hydrostatic pressure in glomerular capillaries
Q45. Which structure is NOT part of the renal lobule?
- Collecting duct
- Renal pyramid
- Glomerulus located in cortical labryinth
- Ureteral orifice
Correct Answer: Ureteral orifice
Q46. Transitional epithelium is specialized to:
- Absorb water rapidly
- Stretch and accommodate variations in urine volume
- Produce renin
- Secrete erythropoietin
Correct Answer: Stretch and accommodate variations in urine volume
Q47. Renal pyramids are separated by extensions of cortex known as:
- Renal columns
- Medullary rays
- Arcuate folds
- Pelvic septa
Correct Answer: Renal columns
Q48. Which segment of the nephron has the highest mitochondrial density to support active transport?
- Thin descending limb
- Proximal convoluted tubule
- Collecting duct principal cells
- Glomerular capillaries
Correct Answer: Proximal convoluted tubule
Q49. The renal artery typically divides into how many segmental arteries?
- 1–2
- 2–4
- 5–7
- 10–12
Correct Answer: 5–7
Q50. Which structure is the portal system unique to the kidney?
- Glomerulus to peritubular capillaries via efferent arteriole
- Arcuate artery to interlobular artery
- Vasa recta to renal vein
- Interlobar artery to renal pelvis
Correct Answer: Glomerulus to peritubular capillaries via efferent arteriole
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