Session 1-Intro

Question 1

Describe the location of the kidney

Answer 1

Retroperitoneal, between T11/12 and L2/3

Question 2

Which kidney sits lower and why?

Answer 2

Right because pushed down by liver

Question 3

Which three narrowings of the ureter are renal stones most likely to lodge?

Answer 3

Pelvic brim
Vesicoureteric junction
Pelvi-ureteric junction

Question 4

What are the functions of the kidney?

Answer 4

• regulation of ECF volume, BP, pH etc
• excretion of waste products
• endocrine: synthesis of renin, EPO and prostaglandins
• metabolism: active form of vit D, catabolism of insulin, PTH and calcitonin

Question 5

What is the main role of the glomerulus?

Answer 5

Ultrafiltration

Question 6

Which channel drives the reabsorption of Na+ in the nephron?

Answer 6

Na/K ATPase on the basolateral membrane

Question 7

Which channel is present on the apical membrane of the PCT to allow Na+ to move in?

Answer 7

NHE

Question 8

Which channel is present on the apical membrane of the DCT to allow Na+ to move in?

Answer 8

NCCT (sodium chloride co-transporter)

Question 9

Which channel in the CD allows Na+ to enter?

Answer 9

ENaC

Question 10

Where does bicarbonate reabsorption occur?

Answer 10

PCT

Question 11

How does bicarbonate reabsorption occur?

Answer 11

NHE brings in 1 Na+ and pushes 1 H+ out and the H+ binds in the lumen to form carbonic acid which is small enough to enter the cell where it splits to give bicarbonate. The bicarbonate then passes into the blood through an anion exchanger

Question 12

Which transporter brings both Na+ and glucose into the cell?

Answer 12

SGLT2

Question 13

Which transporter transports glucose into the blood?

Answer 13

GLUT2

Question 14

At what plasma concentration do glucose transporters in nephrons become saturated so glucose begins to be excreted in urine?

Answer 14

11 mmol/L