Osmotic Balance (1-27) Flashcards
Acidosis
Lower than normal pH levels, i.e. accumulation of acid in the body.
ADH
Antidiuretic hormone, hypothalamic hormone released from the neurohypophysis. It increases the water permeability in the collecting duct, and therefore decrease the urine volume.
Aldosteron
A steroid hormone of the adrenal gland which increases the Na^+ reabsorption in the kidney and at other places.
Alkalosis
A higher than normal pH level, i.e. accumulation of base in the body.
ANP
Atrial natriuretic peptide, it is secreted in the atrium of the heart and increases Na^+ and urine discharge, decreasing blood volume.
Bilirubin
A yellowish bile pigment produced by breakdown of the heme.
Clearance
A functional measure of the kidney function - the plasma volume that is (theoretically) fully cleared of a certain material per unit of time in the kidneys.
Cortical nephron
The most frequent nephron type located in the cortex of the kidney with short Henle´s loop.
Diuresis
The discharge of urine from the urinary bladder
Diuretics
Drugs that increase the amount of urine and urination.
Facultative reabsorption
A controlled reuptake of certain elements of the primary urine (ultrafiltrate) in the distal kidney tubules and collecting duct according to the need of the organism.
GFR
(Glomerular fultration rate) The amount of fluid filtrated per unit of time in the glomeruli of the kidneys.
Glomerulus
The functional units of the kidneys consisting of the Bowman-capsule and of a coiled capillary system.
Henle´s loop
A tubule connecting the proximal and the distal tubules in the kidneys
Juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA)
A cell-group located in the angular area of the glomerulus and the tubules in the nephrons that produce renin (to regulate ionic milieu and fluid balance through the renin-angiotensin system).
Juxtamedullary nephron
Nephron located close to the corticomedullary border in the kidney, with a long Henle´s loop descending deep in the renal medulla.
Nephron
The functional and anatomical unit of the kidneys: its parts are the glomerulus, proximal and distal tubules, Henle´s loop and collecting duct.
Obligate reabsorption
The compulsory reabsorption under any circumstances of a portion of some materials (e.g. water, sodium, glucose) in the proximal tubule of the nephron.
Podocyte
Epithelial cell type in the Bowman´s capsule attached to the basal membrane of the glomerulus - filtrate passes between its footlike processes into the tubules of the nephron.
RBF
Renal blood flow, the amount of blood flowing through the kidneys per unit in time.
Reabsorption
A backward transport of some ultrafiltrated material from the tubules to the blood vessels in the kidneys.
Renin
A peptide hormone (protease) released by the juxtaglomerular apparatus. It transforms angiotensinogen into angiotensin I.
RPF
Renal plasma flow - the amount of blood plasma flowing through the kidneys per unit of time.
Tubular maximum
A rate limit of transport proteins (maximal transport capacity) in the kidney tubules above which only a portion of a given material is reabsorbed.
Tubule (proximal, distal)
Small tubes leading from the glomerulus to the collecting duct in the nephron.
Ultrafiltration
Filtration in the glomeruli of the kidneys in which water and small organic and inorganic compounds pass the membranes from the plasma to the proximal tubule whereas colloid particles and cells remain unfiltered.
Urea
Nitrogen containing compound actively eliminated by the kidneys: the main way to eliminate excess nitrogen
