S3) GFR and Glomerulus Flashcards
Label the following blood vessels showing the blood supply and drainage of the kidney:
Label the following structures in the lobe of the kidney:
Describe the anatomical course of blood supply from the aorta to the peritubular capillaries / vasa recta
Abdominal aorta → renal artery → segmental artery → interlobar artery → arcuate artery → interlobular artery → afferent arteriole → glomerulus → efferent arteriole → peritubular capillaries / vasa recta
Describe the anatomical course of blood drainage from the interlobular vein to the inferior vena cava
Interlobular vein → arcuate vein → interlobar vein → segmental vein → renal vein → inferior vena cava
Where do the peritubular capillaries drain?
Peritubular capillaries drain into the interlobular veins
Where do the vasa recta drain into?
Vasa recta drain into interlobular veins and arcuate veins
Compare and contrast the cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons in terms of:
- Location
- Glomerulus size
- Loop of Henle
- Cortical nephron:
I. Found in outer part of cortex
II. Small glomerulus
III. Short LoH slightly in medulla
- Juxtamedullary nephron:
I. Found in inner part of cortex next to medulla
II. Big glomerulus
III. Long LoH in medulla
Compare and contrast the cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons in terms of:
- Diameter of afferent arteriole
- Course of efferent arteriole
- Cortical nephron:
I. AA diameter > EA diameter
II. EA forms peritubular capillaries
- Juxtamedullary nephron:
I. AA diameter = EA diameter
II. EA forms vasa recta
Compare and contrast the cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons in terms of:
- Sympathetic nerve stimulation
- Concentration of renin
- Ratio
- Cortical nephron:
I. Rich stimulation
II. High [renin]
III. 90% in kidney
- Juxtamedullary nephron:
I. Poor stimulation
II. Low [renin]
III. 10% in kidney
What is the value for renal blood flow?
Renal Blood Flow (RBF) is ~1.1L/min
How is renal plasma flow calculated?
- Haematocrit is normally ~0.45
- Hence, plasma ~ 0.55
Plasma x RBF = RPF
0.55 x 1.1L /min = 605 mL/min of plasma
Where is the glomerulus found?
In the cortex
What happens to the blood in the glomerulus?
- 20% of blood from renal artery is filtered at any one time
- 80% blood arriving exits via efferent arteriole (unfiltered)
What is the normal total glomerular filtrate per day?
140 – 180 L /day (~125 ml/min)
Which two structures compose the renal corpuscle?
- Glomerulus
- Bowman’s capsule
State the structure and function of the renal corpuscle
- Structure: filtration barrier produced by capillary endothelium and visceral layer of Bowman’s capsule
- Function: produces ultra filtrate of plasma
What sort of epithelium is found in the parietal layer of Bowman’s capsule?
Simple squamous epithelium
Filtration is a selective process.
Which substances are filtered and which aren’t?
- Filtered: water, salts and small molecules
- Not filtered: cells and large proteins
What is the end product of filtration?
The end product of filtration (ultrafiltrate) is identical to plasma without the large proteins and cells
Identify the 3 layers of the filtration barrier
- Capillary endothelium
- Basement membrane
- Podocyte layer (visceral layer)
Describe the structure and function of the capillary endothelium
- Structure: permeable
- Function: filtrate (H2O, salts, glucose) moves between cells
Describe the structure and function of the basement membrane
- Structure: acellular gelatinous layer of collagen/glycoproteins
- Function:
I. Permeable to small proteins
II. Glycoproteins (- charge) repel protein movement
Describe the structure of the podocyte layer
Contain pseudopodia which interdigitate and form filtration slits
Explain the role of permeable selectivity of the filtration barrier to ensure the overall selectivity of filtration
Only particles with the following pass through:
- Small molecular weight
- Effective radius less < 1.48 nm