Question

What is the pathway a uric acid molecule takes from a glomerulus to the urethra?

Answer 1

Uric acid molecules appear in the glomerular filtrate by ultrafiltration, but only 10% of the filtered load gets excreted. The rest is absorbed back into the blood through the tubules.

Explanation:

Here are the major signposts along the way.

Through the nephron

The major landmarks are passed as the molecule moves through the nephron.

Glomerulus → Bowman's capsule → proximal convoluted tubule → descending loop of Henle → ascending loop of Henle → distal convoluted tubule → collecting duct

(From www.easynotecards.com)

After the nephron

Hundreds of collecting ducts feed into a minor calyx (cup)

Two or three minor calyces converge to form a major calyx.

(From en.wikipedia.org)

These feed through the renal pelvis into the ureter

Collecting duct → minor calyx → major calyx → renal pelvis → ureter

The final path

The ureter feeds into the bladder and urethra.

Ureter → bladder → urethra → OUT!