Renal Physiology Flashcards
Renal Physiology
Renal dynamics have a major influence on the volume and composition of extracellular (ECF) and intracellular (ICF) fluid compartments
Renal Physiology
Water is responsible for 50% to 70% of body weight
o Approximately 2/3 of the body’s total body water in intracellular
o Approximately 1/3 is extracellular.
The extracellular compartment is divided into:
• Interstitial fluid – fluid between cells
• Plasma – aqueous component of blood
Renal Physiology
ECF provides the immediate environment around the cell. In large part, the composition of the fluid in the extracellular compartment is responsible for the health of individual cells.
The kidneys play a crucial role in regulating the composition of the ECF
Functions of the Kidney
A. Excretion of metabolic waste products /foreign chemicals
B. Regulation of H20 / electrolyte balance
C. Regulation of body fluid osmolarity
D. Regulation of arterial pressure by:
o Varying levels of Na+ /H20
o The direct and indirect effects of the Rennin – angiotensin-aldosterone system
E. Regulation of acid / base balance through excretion of “fixed” acids and regulation of ‘buffer stores” (HCO3-)
F. Regulation of erythrocytes production via erythropoietin by peritubular capillary cells
G. Influences Calcium / Phosphorus / Vitamin D metabolic pathways
Gross Anatomy
A. Renal Cortex
B. Renal Medulla – hyperosmolar – approximately 1200mOsm/L
C. Renal Papilla
The Nephron
The functional unit of the kidney. There are approximately 1 million nephron units per kidney.
The Glomerulus
- Capillary network surrounded by Bowman’s capsule
- An ultra filtrate of blood is produced by the glomerulus
- The glomerulus possesses both afferent and efferent arterioles
The Renal Tubules
- Tubular structures lined with epithelia cells which function in reabsorption / secretion of water, electrolytes, and waste products, etc.
- The glomerular filtrate volume is reduced, and content altered by reabsorption /secretion
- Specific areas of tubules have specific functions. Tubules are divided into:
a. Proximal convoluted tubules
b. Proximal straight tubules
c. Thin descending limb of the loop of Henley
d. Thick ascending limb of the loop of Henley
e. Early distal tubule and Macula densa
d. Distal convoluted tubule
f. Collecting Duct - Peritubular capillary beds are the second capillary network in the unusual arrangement of two capillary beds in series
Renal blood flow
Approximately 22% of cardiac output (≈1200cc/min)
Sequence of Renal Blood Flow:
Renal arteries branch into:
Afferent arterioles -> Glomerular capillaries (1st capillary network) -> Efferent arterioles -> Peritubular capillaries (2nd capillary network, arranged in series) -> Venous capillaries
The Juxtaglomerular Apparatus
o Tuboglomerular feedback: the juxtaglomerular apparatus and macula densa play important roles in regulating renal blood flow
o Myogenic hypothesis
o Renal autoregulation is not dependent on the autonomic nervous system. Transplanted kidneys demonstrated autoregulation of blood flow
The Juxtaglomerular Apparatus
The JG apparatus’ close association with the distal renal tubules and the vascular pole of the nephron places it in an ideal position to senses the composition of the glomerular filtrate in the distal renal tubule and to make adjustments to the vascular tone of the afferent and efferent arterioles adjusting blood flow across the glomerulus and thereby producing the ideal volume of glomerular filtrate (not too much, not too little).
The Juxtaglomerular Apparatus
If overall blood flow to the kidney is inadequate, larger quantities of renin are released by the kidney, which under normal circumstances, will result in increased renal blood flow via the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (Na retention>increasing blood volume>increasing preload> cardiac output>renal blood flow AND increasing system vascular resistance> increasing blood pressure>promoting increased renal blood flow)
Glomerular Filtration
o 20% of serum presented to glomerulus is filtered resulting in production of large volumes of glomerular filtrate
o The “filtrate” is identical to serum plasma with the exception of the lack of protein and other larger substances carried in the serum plasma
Glomerular Filtration - Pathophysiology
Diseases which damage glomerular capillary membrane such as diabetes, HTN (hypertension), glomerulonephritis, UTI (urinary tract infection), may cause proteinuria - protein leakage into the urine; nephrotic syndrome is a condition in which there is leakage of very large amounts of protein from the glomerulus resulting in massive proteinuria. This results in hypoproteinemia and often generalized edema.
GFR
glomerular filtration rate in ml /minute
GFR
In measuring GFR, an ideal substance used in the measurement would be freely filtered, but not reabsorbed or secreted by tubules; In research laboratories Inulin is used in this measurement. By using the Fick principle, if you know the serum concentration of inulin, and you know the urine concentration, one can calculate how much inulin has been filtered across the glomerulus
GFR
Serum Creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen) blood levels give an estimate of GFR. Small rises in serum creatinine concentration may indicate impairment or loss of function of the majority of nephrons units.
Creatinine Clearance
Is a commonly used measurement to assess GFR. Serum creatinine is filtered by the glomerulus and filtrate concentrations are minimally altered by the tubules. It is a convenient, but somewhat problematic substitute for inulin.
States that alter GFR
Diseases of glomerulus that reduced the total filtering area available, (loss of glomeruli) or reduce or increase permeability of the glomerular capillary membrane will alter GFR