214-216. Renal Function Flashcards
What are the functions of the kidney?
- Removes metabolic waste (urea, acids)
- Controls volume of extracellular fluid (close link to BP)
- Maintains optimal concentrations of vital solutes in the extracellular fluid (electrolyte balance) - Na, K, H, Ca, Mg, Cl, Phos
- Other functions: Vit D activation, erythropoeitin production
What % of body weight is made up of water?
60%
What are the 3 fluid compartments of the body?
Intracellular space
Interstitial space
Intravascular space
What % of water is intracellular?
40%
What % of water in the body is extracellular (intravascular and interstitial)?
20%
What determines fluid volume at the cellular barrier?
Osmotic (oncotic) forces
Selectively permeable membrane
What determines fluid volume at the vascular barrier?
Hydrostatic pressure and osmotic (oncotic) forces
Define hydrostatic pressure
The pressure exerted by a fluid due to the force of gravity
On which side is hydrostatic pressure greater? The arterial side or the venous side?
The arterial side
On which side is oncotic pressure greater than hydrostatic pressure; the arterial side or the venous side?
Venous side
Are cations positively charged or negatively charged?
Positively charged
Are anions positively charged or negatively charged?
Negatively charged
What is the extracellular fluid composition and volume dependent on?
Salt intake - hunger, food availability
Water intake - thirst, water availability
Salt and water losses - sweat, gut
THE KIDNEYS
Around what % of cardiac output do the kidneys receive?
20%
What are the 3 basic processes of the nephron?
Glomerular filtration
Tubular reabsorption
Tubular secretion
What is the role of glomerular filtration in the kidney?
Filters the blood into tubule forming the primitive urine (glomerular filtrate)
What is the role of tubular reabsorption in the kidney?
Selective absorption of substances from tubule to blood
What is the role of tubular secretion in the kidney?
Secretion of substances from blood to tubular fluid