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
What are the 4 main structures of the glomerulus?
Podocytes
Bowman’s capsule
Capillary
Glomerular filtration barrier
What three specialised structures of the glomerulus allows for extracellular fluid to be filtered and leave the body?
Podocyte foot processes
Specialised capillary endothelium
Collagen based glomerular basement membrane
What 3 things are 100% filtered by the glomerulus?
Water
Glucose
Urea
What is the average normal GFR per minute and how many litres are filtered a day?
100ml/min
144L/day
What aquaporin channels are present on the proximal convoluted tubule which allows for reabsorption of water?
Aquaporin I
On the thin descending limb of the loop of Henle, how does its structure make it suited to reabsorb water?
Loose junctions, and aquaporin I channels