4/5 - Nephron Function Flashcards
Starling forces?
Govern the movement of water and solutes between the plasma and ISF. Hydrostatic pressure forces water and solutes out of the blood while plasma proteins are not filtered and exert oncotic pressure inwards. In normal capillaries there is a small outwards fluid shift that is controlled by the lymphatics.
The glomerulus?
- very leaky capillary tuft due to fenestrated epithelium
- located between 2 arterioles
How much of the plasma volume in the glomerular capillaries is filtereD?
20%
What is the normal GFR for both kidneys?
125ml/min
How is GFR primarily regulated?
Changes in glomerular hydrostatic pressure and so BF to the glomerular capillaries. For the kidneys to tightly regulate ECF osmolality and pH GFR needs to be constant.
How does renal autoregulation work?
- changes in systemic BP should change GFR but usually doesn’t
- works to maintain constant pressure and BF in the glomerulus and so constant GFR over a range of systemic BPs (MAP of 80-160)
- renal autoregulation involves fb mechanisms that cause dilation/constriction of the afferent arteriole or constriction of the efferent arteriole
LOH?
Important in production of dilute or conc urine
How can the medulla be divided?
Outer medulla and inner medullary. Boundary is where the short loop nephrons (superficial ones) end
Thiazide diuretics?
Block the NaCl cotransporters in the early distal convoluted tubule
Furosemide diuretics?
Block the NKCC2 channels in the Thick Ascending Limb. Promotes urine output and salt excretion
2 primary cell types in the late distal convoluted tubule, connecting tubule and collecting duct
Principal cells and intercalated cells
Principal cells?
Reabsorb na and secrete k
Potential side effect of thiazide diuretics?
Block the na/cl cotransporter is early distal conv tubule. Means more na arrives at the ENac channel in the late distal tubule causing more K+ to be secreted by the ROMK channel causing hypokalaemia which can cause ventricular arrhythmias
What is the target of K+ sparing diuretics
ENaC i.e. amiloride. Others work by the inhibition of aldosterone
What does aldosterone do
Steroid hormone released by the adrenal cortex. Binds receptor and enters nucleus of principal cells to increase activity of existing ENaC channels in late distal conv tubule and increases transcription of ENaC and Na/K ATPases so increases Na abs and K+ secretion