Renal System Flashcards
Question: What is the anatomy and primary function of the kidneys?
Answer: Kidneys are bean-shaped organs located at the posterior abdominal wall, measuring about 12 cm. Their primary functions include filtering blood, producing urine, regulating electrolytes, and maintaining acid-base balance.
Question: What are the components of a nephron and its overall function?
Answer: A nephron includes Bowman’s capsule, glomerulus, proximal and distal convoluted tubules, loop of Henle, and collecting duct. It functions in filtration, reabsorption, secretion, and urine concentration.
Question: Describe the blood supply to the kidneys and its significance.
Answer: The renal artery supplies blood to the kidneys, branching into smaller arterioles to reach nephrons. This is crucial for the filtration and excretion processes.
Question: What is glomerular filtration and how does it occur?
Answer: Glomerular filtration involves filtering blood in the glomerulus, where water and solutes pass into Bowman’s capsule, driven by blood pressure and selective based on molecule size and charge.
Question: Explain the process and significance of tubular reabsorption and secretion in the kidneys.
Answer: In the kidneys, tubular reabsorption and secretion involve the selective transfer of substances. Nutrients, water, and ions are reabsorbed into the blood, while waste products and excess ions are secreted, mainly in the proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, and distal convoluted tubule.
Question: How do the kidneys contribute to acid-base balance in the body?
Answer: The kidneys maintain acid-base balance by excreting hydrogen ions and conserving bicarbonate, thus regulating blood pH. This is vital for homeostasis and normal cellular function.
Question: What role do kidneys play in regulating blood pressure?
Answer: Kidneys regulate blood pressure through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), by adjusting blood volume and systemic vascular resistance.
Question: Describe the process of urine formation and concentration in the kidneys.
Answer: Urine formation involves glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, and secretion. Concentration is achieved through the counter-current mechanism in the loop of Henle.
Question: What is the kidney’s role in erythropoiesis?
Answer: The kidneys produce erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production in response to hypoxia (low oxygen levels) in the bone marrow.
Question: What are some common renal pathologies and their impacts?
Answer: Common renal pathologies include kidney stones, nephritis, polycystic kidney disease, and acute and chronic renal failure. These can cause varying symptoms from pain and urinary issues to severe kidney damage requiring dialysis.
