Physiology of the Urinary Tract Flashcards
How does the kidney regulate blood pH?
Uses a bicarbonate buffer-system to regulate pH of blood
What connects the kidneys to the urinary bladder?
Ureters
What are the major functions of the kidney?
- Maintain water and electrolyte homeostasis
- Aid in maintenance of blood pH
- Hormone production and metabolism
- Regulation of blood pressure
What is the working unit of the kidney?
Nephron
Where in the kidney does blood get filtered?
Renal medulla
Where does the nephron interact with the blood vessels of the kidney?
Bowman’s capsule
Why are there so many fucking nephrons?
- Increased surface area
- Redundancy
What mesh-network in the Bowman’s capsule separates the fluid component of blood from cells and macromolecules?
The glomerulus
What are the small holes used for transferring things in the glomerulus?
Fenestrae
When blood pressure increases, why is blood flow restricted?
Preserves kidney by decreasing pressure on the tiny bits of the glomerulus
Capsular hydrostatic pressure ______ filtrations.
opposes
Glomerular hydrostatic pressure (blood pressure) _____ filtration.
promotes
Glomerular osmotic pressure _____ filtration.
opposes
Why does high blood pressure lead to inefficient kidney function?
Increases in blood pressure results in release of vasoconstrictors to decrease glomerular blood pressure
Why is the tubule network selectively permeable at different locations for different things?
- Allows for reabsorption of nutrients lost
- Allows for countercurrent multiplication
What does countercurrent multiplication do in the tubular network?
Selectively builds up concentration gradient to help move other things
What locations of the tubular network filter out most of the sodium?
- proximal tube
- loop of henle
Why does the calcium concentration in the distal convoluted tubule not change?
An antiporter pumps out Ca in exchange for sodium
Why doesn’t urea get completely filtered out?
Amino acid transporters in lumen of tubule mistake urea for other amino acids and reabsorbs it
How does the kidney increase blood pressure?
Increases reabsorption of sodium to drive water reabsorption which will increase blood volume
How does angiotensin increase BP?
Causes vasocontriction and sodium reabsorption, thus increasing blood volume
