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Multiple Choice
The sympathetic axons extend to which blood vessels of the kidney?
A
Afferent arterioles
B
Renal veins
C
Glomerular capillaries
D
Peritubular capillaries
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the role of the sympathetic nervous system in regulating blood flow to the kidney. Sympathetic axons are part of the autonomic nervous system and primarily influence vasoconstriction and blood pressure regulation.
Step 2: Recall the anatomy of the kidney's blood vessels. The kidney receives blood through the renal artery, which branches into smaller vessels, including afferent arterioles, glomerular capillaries, and peritubular capillaries. The renal veins are responsible for draining blood from the kidney.
Step 3: Focus on the afferent arterioles. These vessels are responsible for delivering blood to the glomerulus for filtration. Sympathetic axons innervate the afferent arterioles to regulate blood flow and filtration rate by causing vasoconstriction during stress or low blood pressure.
Step 4: Consider the other options. Sympathetic axons do not directly innervate renal veins, as these are primarily involved in draining blood. Similarly, glomerular capillaries and peritubular capillaries are not directly influenced by sympathetic axons for vasoconstriction; their function is more related to filtration and reabsorption processes.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is afferent arterioles, as these are the blood vessels of the kidney that are directly influenced by sympathetic axons to regulate blood flow and filtration.