The renal system Flashcards
renal and urinary system
kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra
renal functions
filtering, fluid and electrolyte exchange, endocrine
functions of the kidneys
regulation of water and inorganic ion balance; regulation of extracellular fluid volume and composition, Na, K, Ca, Mg, HCO, H, phosphates, sulphates, water
removal of metabolic waste products from the blood and their excretion in the urine; urea from protein breakdown, creatine breakdown, breakdown products of Hb
removal of a range of compounds from the blood and their excretion in the urine; drugs, pesticides
gluconeogenesis; synthesis of glucose
besides the liver, the kidney is the only organ capable of generating sufficient glucose to release into circulation and is also responsible for filtration and subsequent reabsorption or excretion of glucose.
endocrine functions of the kidneys
erthyopoetin (EPO) enhances erythrocyte production. anemia can occur in patients with renal disease. renin an enzyme which controls formation of angiotensin and influences BP and Na balance.
calcitriol influences calcium balance
renal structure
the kidneys are paired organs lying in the posterior abdominal wall on either side if the vertebral column. covered in tough fibrous capsule.
kidneys are divided into an outer granular cortex and an inner striated medulla
renal blood supply
comprise 0.5% of body weight, 20% of cardiac output
interlobular arteries enter cortex and divide into afferent arterioles>supply each nephron via compact bundle of capillaries forming the glomerulus>leaves via efferent arterioles> onto peritubular capillaries or descending vasa recta> interlobular vein ascending vasa recta arcuate vein
nephron
the nephron is the basic unit of the kidney with around 2.5 million in the human kidney. each nephron consists of 2 functional components; tubular and vascular. kidney function depends on the relationship between these two components.
cortical or superficial nephrons
around 80% of nephrons, glomeruli in outer cortex and their LoH barely penetrate the medulla, very limited contracting ability
juxtamedullary nephrons
around 20%, glomeruli in cortex and long LoH which descend into medulla. significant urine concentration is achieved thanks to the hyperosmolar medulla set up by these structures. in juxtamedullary nephrons the capillaries form hairpin like loops, the vasa recta, which dip into the medulla in parallel with the loops of Henle. these capillaries ultimately drain into venules and veins and blood leaves the kidney in the renal vein
functions of the nephron
filtrate leaves the blood supply to enter the tubule system, reabsorption NaCl and NaHCO3, osmosis, acid-base balance, nutrient reabsorption
water and electrolyte reabsorption, fine control of water and salt secretion
renal tubule
a single layer of epithelial cells which differ in structure and function from portion to portion. starts in a blind sac the bowman’s capsule surrounding the glomerulus.
renal corpuscle
glomerulus, bowman’s capsule, bowman’s space
glomerulus
compact node of capillaries that protrude into bowman’s capsule.
glomerular capillaries; unique in the body as the vessels recombine to form another arteriole, the efferent arteriole, which then divides up again to form a second set of capillaries; peritubular capillaries for superficial glomeruli
vasa recta for juxtamedullary glomeruli
glomerular endothelial cells
surrounded by basement membrane, podocytes and mesangial cells. large fenestrations that allow passage of water and solutes. limit cellular elements such as RBCs entering tubule
basement membrane
located between the endothelium and podocytes. restricts intermediate to large sized solutes, negative favour filtration of positively charge solutes
podocytes
feet like processes that cover the basement membrane, filtration slits with pores ranging from 4-14nm. podocytes are covered in glycoproteins with negative charges
glycocalyx
fibrous layer of negatively charged glycoproteins
renal tubule; structure-function
proximal convoluted tubule; large apical surface area for reabsorption
lots of mitochondria; high energy requirement
thick ascending limb of the LoH
complex cells with folds on baso lateral surface, vital role in sodium regulation and control of osmolality of urine.
distal convoluted tubule- starts at macula densa similar in structure to thick ascending limb
collecting tubule-intercalated cells secrete H?HC)3 and reabsorb K, principal ells reabsorb Na and Cl secrete K
medullary collecting duct- transport of water salt and urea
juxta-glomerular apparatus
granular cells- juxtaglomerular cells, specialised smooth muscle on afferent arterioles, produce store and release renin
mesangial cells; contractile cells that secrete extracellular matrix support the glomerular capillary loops.
macula densa; specialised epithelial cells at ascending limb/distal tubule, junction of glomerulus and afferent/efferent arterioles.
neuronal regulation
symp ANS, NA and dopamine from symp nerves near smooth muscle cells
- vasoconstriction
- enhanced sodium reabsorption
- stimulates renin secretion
renin innervation
symp ANS, sensory neurones
increased perfusion pressure stimulates renal baroreceptors (intralobular arteries and afferent arterioles\0
ischaemia and abnormal ion composition stimulate renal pelvis chemoreceptors (K and H)
ureters
lined by endothelium, submucosal layer of connective tissue; contain inner longitudinal smooth muscle, circular outer smooth muscle
is unitary smooth muscle where gap junctions permit electrical activity to pass between cells.
mechanical or chemical stimuli, as well as depolarisation can trigger action potential
peristalsis originates from pacemakers in the proximal portion of the kidney pelvis
the bladder-ureters
peristalsis can occur without innervation, but can be modulated by the ANS, p-symp enhances contractility via Muscarinic M3 receptors
symp - excitatory (alpha adrenoreceptors)
inhibitory (beta adrenoreceptors)
the bladder
ureters enter the lower posterior portion of the bladder. two urethral orifices connected by ridge of tissue forms bladder trigone
flap like mucous membrane covers opening to prevent reflex during contraction of bladder.
distensible organ with folded muscular wall
detrusor muscle has 3 smooth muscle layers
thickening of urethral muscle forms internal sphincter. striated muscle forms external sphincter
micturition
pontine micturition centre (PMC) coordinates the micturition reflex with cortical and suprapontine centres in the brain exert inhibitory influence on micturition reflex
storage phase; stretch receptors in bladder send afferent info to brain via pelvic splanchnic nerves
first urge around 150ml. dullness at 400-500ml
until socially acceptable opportunity to void, efferent impulses from brain inhibit contractile p-symp actions on detrusor muscle (learned reflex)
bladder tone
relationship between volume and internal pressure
voiding phase of micturition
voluntary relaxation of internal/external sphincter, urine reaching urethra signals to cortex
suprapontine/pontine centres in the brain no longer exert inhibitory influence on p-symp nerves- initiates micturition reflex
cortical centres also inhibit external sphincter muscles, voluntary contraction of abdominal muscles also required to raise bladder pressure
detrusor muscle contracts, further trains of sensory information from stretch receptors initiate a self0regenerating process
sodium reabsorption
transcellular;
two membrane model of transport;
- passive entrance of Na into cell
>low [Na] and favourable electrochemical gradient
>combinations of co-transporters and exchangers - active transport of Na out of cell across basolateral membrane
>Na-K pump helps to keep [Na] low (round 15mM) and [K] high (around 120mM)
paracellular;
trans-epithelial
>electrochemical gradient drives Na transport
>positive gradient favouring reabsorption in proximal tubule and thick ascending limb only.