Renal physiology

Question 1

functions of the kidneys

Answer 1

regulate plasma & interstitial fluid by formation of urine
- in process of urine formation, kidneys regulate: volume of blood plasma, which contributes to bp
waste products in blood
concentration of electrolytes

Question 2

structure of kidney

Answer 2

paired kidneys are on either side of vertebral column below diaphragm; about size of fist

Question 3

structure of kidney includes

Answer 3

cortex, medulla, renal pyramids, renal columns, minor calyces, major calyx, renal pelvis, ureter

Question 4

define the cortex of the kidney

Answer 4

contains many capillaries & outer parts of nephrons

Question 5

medulla of kidney

Answer 5

consists of renal pyramids separated by renal columns

Question 6

pyramids contains what

Answer 6

minor calyces which unite to form a major calyx

Question 7

major calyces join to form…..

Answer 7

renal pelvis which collects urine & conducts it to ureters which empty into bladder

Question 8

describe the nephron

Answer 8

functional unit of kidney responsible for forming urine

Question 9

blood enters kidney thru what artery

Answer 9

the renal artery, which divides into interloper arteries that divide into arcuate arteries that give rise to interlobular arteries

Question 10

interlobular arteries subdivide into what

Answer 10

afferent arterioles in the cortex, that deliver blood to glomeruli

Question 11

what is the glomerulus

Answer 11

a mass of capillaries inside glomerular capsule that gives rise to filtrate that enters nephron tubule

Question 12

does the efferent arteriole drain the glomerulus

Answer 12

yes, delivers that blood to peritubular capillaries (vasa recta), blood from peritubular capillaries enters veins

Question 13

describe tubular part of nephron beginning

Answer 13

begins with glomerular capsule–>transitions into proximal convuluted tubules(PCT)–>descending & ascending limbs of loop of henle (LH) & distal convoluted tubule (DCT)
- tubule ends where it empties into collecting duct (CD)

Question 14

where does glomerular filtration occur

Answer 14

renal corpuscle

-filtrate passes into PCT

Question 15

together who and what surround glomerulus

Answer 15

Glomerular (bowmans capsule)

Question 16

Glomerular capillaries & bowman’s capsule form a filter for blood and are

Answer 16

• fenestrated
• sm enough to keep RBC’s, platelets & WBC’s from passing
• pores are lined w/negative charges to keep blood proteins (also negatively charged) from filtering

Question 17

define ultrafiltrate

Answer 17

fluid that enters glomerular capsule, whose filtration was driven by blood pressure

Question 18

GFR ( Glomerular Filtration Rate)

Answer 18

volume of filtrate produced by both kidneys/min

- most filtered water must be reabsorbed or death would ensue from water lost thru urination

Question 19

define reabsorption

Answer 19

return of filtered molecules

- H2O is never actively transported; other molecules/ions are transported & H20 follows by osmosis