Renal Function Flashcards
What are the 6 functions of the kidneys?
- Regulation of water and electrolyte balance
- Excretion of metabolic waste and bioactive substances
- Regulation of arterial blood pressure
- Regulation of erythrocyte production
- Regulation of Vitamin D production
- Gluconeogensis
What are the 3 distinct regions of the kidney?
- Cortex - glomeruli
- Medulla - nephron tubules
- Renal pelvis - major and minor calyces
Where are arcuate arteries and veins found?
Corticomedullary boundary
Where are interlobular arteries and veins found?
Cortex
What are the two main parts of the nephron?
Renal Corpuscle
Renal Tubule
What are the 2 types of nephrons?
Cortical nephrons
Juxtamedullary nephrons
What is the function of the cortical nephrons?
Most of the reabsorption that occurs within the kidney - glomeruli in outer cortex
What is the function of the juxtamedullary nephrons?
Produce concentrated/diluted urine - glomeruli in inner cortex
What are the three structures that make up the juxtaglomerular apparatus?
- Macula densa of thick ascending limb - salt sensors
- Extraglomerular mesangial cells - regulate blood flow
- Granular cells of afferent arteriole - store and release renin
What type of cells are found in the proximal tubule?
Simple cuboidal epithelial cells with brush border
What type of cells are found in the thin ascending and descending limbs?
Squamous epithelium
What type of cells are found in the thick ascending limb and distal tubule?
Cuboidal epithelium with invaginated basolateral membrane
What type of cells are found in the collecting ducts?
Columnar epithelium - Principal cells and Intercalated cells
What are the four factors that determine the NFP
NFP = Pcap + πif - Pif - πcap
Why is hydrostatic pressure at afferent arterioles high relative to non-renal vascular beds?
Presence of efferent arterioles
Branching of glomerular capillaries
