Chapter 47: Assessment of Kidney & Urinary Function Flashcards
Functions of the Kidneys
Control BP & H2O Balance
Excrete waste products & renal clearance
Regulate electrolytes, acid-base balances, & RBC production
Secrete prostaglandins
Synthesize vitamin D to active form
Form urine
Renal Clearance
The ability of the kidneys to clear solutes from plasma
Organs of the Urinary System
Kidneys, ureters, bladder, & urethra
Kidneys
Pair of brownish-red, bean-shaped structures located retroperitoneally (behind & outside peritoneal cavity) that remove waste & extra fluid from the body
-Also critical in maintaining acid-base balance, synthesizing hormones to control BP, & stimulating the bone marrow for RBC production
Hilum
Rounded outer convex surface of the kidneys
Why is the RT kidney slightly lower than the LT kidney?
The RT kidney is slightly lower than the LT kidney due to location of the liver
What provides external protection for the kidneys?
The ribs & muscles of the abdomen & back
What provides internal protection for the kidneys?
Fat deposits (surround each kidney-> protect from jarring)
Medulla
Inner portion of the kidney
What does the medulla contain?
It contains the loops of Henle, vasa recta, & collecting ducts from the juxtamedullary nephrons
Where do the collecting ducts from both the juxtamedullary nephrons & cortical nephrons connect to?
They connect to the renal pyramids
Where do the renal pyramids drain to?
They drain to the minor calyces-> major calyces-> opens directly into the pelvis
Renal Pelvis
Beginning of the collecting system
-Composed of structures that are designed to collect & transport urine
Once the urine leaves the renal pelvis…
…the composition does NOT change
Nephrons
Structural & functional units of the kidneys responsible for urine formation
If the total number of functioning nephrons is <20% of normal, what interventions should be taken?
If the total number of functioning nephrons is <20% of normal, kidney replacement therapy is recommended
-Also if 80% is damaged
The length of a tubular component of the nephron is directly related to…
…its ability to concentrate urine
Glomerulus
Tuft of capillaries forming part of the nephron where filtration occurs
Blood Supply to the Kidneys
Blood flows through the glomerulus-> leaves via efferent arteriole & flows back to inferior vena cava via network of capillaries & veins
Bowman Capsule
Encapsulates the glomerulus & afferent & efferent arterioles
Where does the filtrate of the bowman capsule go to?
It travels to the proximal tubule-> loop of Henle-> distal tubule-> either the cortical or medullary collecting ducts
Juxtaglomerular Apparatus
Site of renin production
Renin
Works to regulate BP (increases via RAAS system)
Tubular Components of the Nephron
Bowman capsule, proximal tubule, descending & ascending limbs of the loop of Henle, & cortical & medullary collecting ducts