UNIT 10 Kidney, Liver, Endocrine Flashcards
Discuss the anatomy of the renal cortex and medulla
renal cortex = outer part of the kidney
- contains most parts of the nephron (glomerulus, Bowman’s capsule, proximal tubules, distal tubules)
renal medulla = inner part of the kidney
- contains the parts of the nephron not in the renal cortex (loops of Henle & collecting ducts)
- divided into pyramids
- apex of each pyramid is called the papilla; contains lots of collecting ducts
- papilla drain into minor calyxes
- multiple minor calyxes converge to form major calyxes
- multiple major calyxes converge to form the renal pelvis, which empties urine into the ureter
the calyces, pelvis, and ureters have the capability to contract and push urine toward the bladder
Describe the anatomy of the nephron.
the nephron is the functional unit in the kidney. Pay particular attention to the nephron as well as its blood supply
afferent arteriole –> glomerulus –> efferent arterial
Bowman’s capsule –> PCT –> LOH –> distal tubule –> collecting duct
how does the kidney contribute to the volume and composition of the ECF?
there are 2 key hormones that govern how the kidney regulates ECF volume and composition:
- aldosterone: controls ECF volume (Na+ and water are reabsorbed together)
- ADH (vasopressin) controls plasma osm (water is reabsorbed, but Na+ isn’t)
the kidneys also regulate K+, Cl-, phos, mag, H+, bicarb, glucose, and urea
how do they kidneys help to regulate blood pressure? what other systems also contribute to blood pressure regulation?
the kidneys provide intermediate and long term blood pressure control:
- long term BP control is carried out by the thirst mechanism (intake) and sodium and water excretion (output)
- intermediate control of BP is carried out by the RAAS
- short term control of BP is carried out by the baroreceptor reflex
how does the kidney eliminate toxins and metabolites?
glomerular filtration and tubular secretion clear the blood of metabolic byproducts, toxins, and drugs.
like the liver, the kidney is capable of phase I and phase II biotransformation.
how does the kidney contribute to acid-base balance? Which other organ is essential to this process?
the key organs of acid-base balance include the lungs and the kidneys.
the lungs excrete volatile acids (CO2) and the kidneys excrete non-volatile acids
the kidneys maintain acid-base balance by titrating H+ in the tubular fluid, which creates acidic or basic urine.
what stimulates the kidney to release EPO? what does EPO do after it’s released?
EPO is released in response to inadequate O2 delivery to the kidney. Clinical examples include anemia, reduced intravascular volume, and hypoxia (high altitude, cardiac, and/or pulmonary failure)
EPO stimulates stem cells in the bone marrow to produce erythrocytes
severe kidney disease reduces EPO production and leads to chronic anemia
what is calcitriol, and what does it do?
calciferol is synthetized from ingested vitamin D or following exposure to UV light
- in the liver, calciferol is converted to 25[OH] vitamin D3 (inactive D3)
- in the kidney (under control of PTH), inactive D3 is converted to calcitriol (1,25 [OH]2 Vitamin D3 (active form))
calcitriol has three functions. It stimulates:
- the intestine to reabsorb Ca++ from food
- the bone to store Ca++
- the kidney to reabsorb Ca++ and phosphate
How much blood flow do the kidneys receive (% of CO and total flow)?
20-25% of CO
1000-1250mL/min
discuss the path blood flows after it enters the renal artery.
renal artery interlobar arteries arcuate arteries interlobular arteries afferent arterioles glomerular capillary bed (filtration) efferent arteriole peritubular capillary bed (reabsorption and secretion) venules interlobular veins arcuate veins interlobar veins renal vein
discuss the significance of renal autoregulation
the purpose of autoregulation is to ensure a constant amount of blood flow is delivered to the kidneys over a wide range of arterial blood pressures. glomerular filtration becomes pressure dependent when MAP is outside the range of autoregulation
when renal perfusion is too low, RBF is increased by reducing renal vascular resistance
when renal perfusion is too high, RBF is decreased by increasing renal vascular resistance
there is little agreement about the range of RBF autoregulation. We like 50-180
describe the myogenic mechanism of renal autoregulation.
if the renal artery pressure is elevated, the myogenic mechanism constricts the afferent arteriole to protect the glomerulus from excessive pressure
when the renal artery pressure is too low, the myogenic mechanism dilates the afferent arteriole to increase blood flow going to the nephron
how does tubuloglomerular feedback affect renal autoregulation?
the juxtaglomerular apparatus is located in the distal tubule, specifically the region that passes b/n the afferent and efferent arterioles
tubuloglomerular feedback about the Na+ and Cl- composition in the distal tubule affects arteriole tone. In turn, this creates a negative feedback loop to maintain RBF
how does the surgical stress response affect renal blood flow?
the surgical stress response induces a transient state of vasoconstriction and sodium retention. This persists for several days, resulting in oliguria and edema. vasoconstriction of the renal vasculature during this time predisposes the kidneys to ischemic injury and nephrotoxicity from drugs administered during the perioperative period.
list the steps involved in the RAAS pathway.
RAAS plays an integral role in the regulation of systemic vascular resistance and the composition of the extracellular volume. By extension, it greatly influences CO and arterial BP.
- decreased renal perfusion
- SNS activation (beta1)
- tubuloglomerular feedback
- -> renin release
angiotensinogen –> angiotensin 1 (via renin) –> angiotensin 2 (via ACE) –) vasoconstriction, aldosterone and ADH release, Na+ reabsorption, and thirst
list the three conditions that increase renin release, and give examples of each.
- decreased renal perfusion pressure
- hemorrhage
- PEEP
- CHF
- liver failure w/ ascites
- sepsis
- diuresis - SNS activation (beta1)
- circulating catechols
- exogenous catechols - tubuloglomerular feedback (the macula densa in the distal tubule contains chemoreceptors that monitor [Na+] and [Cl-] in tubular fluid
- decreased Na+, Cl- in distal tubule.
where is aldosterone produced, and what is its function
steroid hormone that is produced in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal gland
by stimulating the Na+/K+ ATPase in the principle cells of the distal tubules and collecting ducts, aldosterone causes:
- sodium reabsorption
- water reabsorption
- potassium excretion
the net effect is that aldosterone increases blood volume but doesn’t affect osm.
where is antidiuretic hormone produced, and what is its function?
ADH is produced in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. It is released from the posterior pituitary gland in response to:
- increased osm of the ECF
- decreased blood volume
how ADH increases BP:
- increased blood volume from V2 receptor stimulation in the collecting ducts
- increased SVR from V1 receptor stimulation in the vasculature
what clinical situations increase ADH release?
while anesthetic agents do not directly affect ADH homeostasis, they do impact arterial blood pressure and venous blood volume. In turn, these changes increase ADH release. Examples include:
- PEEP
- PPV
- hypotension
- hemorrhage
list 3 mechanisms that promote renal vasodilation
there are 3 pathways that promote renal vasodilation:
- prostaglandins (inhibited by NSAIDs)
- atrial natriuretic peptide (increased RAP –> Na+ and water excretion)
- dopamine-1 receptor stimulation (increased RBF)
compare and contrast the location and function of the dopamine 1 and 2 recepotrs
there are two types of dopamine receptors: DA1 and DA2
- DA1 (increased cAMP) are present in the kidney and splanchnic circulation –> vasodilation, increased RBF/GFR, diuresis, Na+ excretion
- DA2 (decreased cAMP) are present on the presynaptic adrenergic nerve terminal –> decreased NE release
what is the mechanism of action of fenoldapam? why is it used?
selective DA1 receptor agonist that increases RBF.
low dose (0.1-0.2mcg/kg/min) is a renal vasodilator and increases RBF, GFR, and facilitates Na+ excretion w/out affecting arterial blood pressure - it may offer renal protection during aortic surgery and during CPB
how much of the RBF is filtered through the glomerulus? Where does the rest go?
RBF = 1000-1250mL/min GFR = 125mL/min or 20% of RBF
filtration fraction is 20%
the remaining 80% is delivered to the peritubular capillaries
what are the 3 determinants of glomerular hydrostatic pressure?
glomerular hydrostatic pressure is the most important determinant of GFR.
three determinants:
- arterial blood pressure
- afferent arteriole resistance
- efferent arteriole resistance