Renal Physiology (Day 1) Flashcards
Functions of the Kidneys
Regulation of extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure
Regulation of osmolarity
Maintenance of ion balance
Homeostatic regulation of pH
Excretion of waste
Production of hormones
Renal Structure
Gross anatomy: three clearly demarcated anatomical areas.
Cortex constitutes the major portion of the kidney and receives a disproportionately higher percentage (90%) of the blood flow.
Medulla (6-10%).
Papilla (1-2%).
Overall path of renal circulation
see slide
Renal flow
flow of filtrate AND flow of blood through capillaries
Renal Blood Flow
22% of CO
–portal system: afferent arterioles–> glomerular bed –> efferent arterioles -> peritubular bed –> veins
more blood flow going to kidneys than they need to do their job (due to renal filtration)
Bowman’s space
were fluid enters the kidneys
Renal Filtration
The kidneys receive 22% of cardiac output (1.1 L/min); unlike other organs, renal blood flow far exceeds metabolic demand.
All blood flow travels through glomeruli; so mechanisms that regulate RBF are closely linked to control of GFR.
Renal Blood Flow = 1100 ml/min
Renal Plasma Flow = 605 ml/min (hematocrit = 45%)
Glomerular Filtration Rate = 125 ml/min
Filtration Fraction = GFR/RPF (125/605) = 21%
The high GFR allows for precise control of fluid volume/composition and rapid removal of waste.
Formation of urine involves three basic processes:
- ultrafiltration of plasma by the glomerulus
- ->except proteins (stay in blood) - reabsorption of water and solutes from the ultrafiltrate
- secretion of selected solutes into the tubular fluid (active, requires energy).
- -Plasma filtered into tubular system
- -Needed substances reabsorbed back into plasma, while wastes stay in, eventually excreted in urine
Nephron Tubules & Associated Blood Vessels
1) Glomerular (Bowman’s) capsule surrounds the glomerulus. Together, they make up the renal corpuscle.
2) Filtrate produced in renal corpuscle passes into the proximal convoluted tubule.
3) Filtrate passes into the descending and ascending limbs of the loop of Henle.
4) Filtrate passes into the distal convoluted tubule.
5) Finally, fluid passes into the collecting duct.
6) Fluid is now urine and will drain into a minor calyx.
Glomerulus
Capillary bed; filtration
Proximal Tubule
Reabsorption (60%)
Secretion
Sodium and water similar
Loop of Henle
Descending limb is water permeable
Ascending limb is water impermeable
Distal Tubule/Collecting Duct
Water permeable in presence of ADH (vasopressin)
Equation of Secretion
amount filtered - amount reabsorbed + amount secreted = amount of solute excreted
Pressure differences in nephron determine net FILTRATION vs ABSORPTION
ΔP in glomerulus (45) favors filtration.
Lower P in tubules (13), but still > interstitium (net ΔP = 7), yet don’t see filtration—see net
absorption
–> all numbers refer to hydrostatic pressure
–to understand why, need to review Starling’s Law.