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Renal Physiology Notes

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3 views3 pages

Renal Physiology Notes

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Uploaded by

bhatjunaidui
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Renal Physiology

1. Structure and Functions of the Kidney

1.1 Structure of the Kidney:

- Location and Size: The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine, just

below the rib cage. Each kidney is about 10-12 cm long and weighs around 150g.

- Layers:

- Renal Capsule: The outermost layer that provides protection.

- Renal Cortex: The outer region where blood filtration begins.

- Renal Medulla: The inner region containing cone-shaped structures called renal pyramids.

- Renal Pelvis: The innermost part, which collects urine and leads it to the ureter.

- Blood Supply: Blood enters through the renal artery, is filtered, and exits through the renal vein.

1.2 Functions of the Kidney:

- Filtration: Filters waste products and excess substances from the blood to form urine.

- Reabsorption: Reabsorbs essential ions, glucose, and water back into the bloodstream.

- Excretion: Removes waste products like urea, creatinine, and toxins.

- Homeostasis: Regulates blood pressure, pH, and electrolyte balance.

- Hormone Production: Produces erythropoietin (stimulates red blood cell production) and renin

(regulates blood pressure).

2. Structure of the Nephron

- Definition: The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtration and urine
formation.

- Parts of the Nephron:

- Glomerulus: A cluster of capillaries where blood filtration begins.

- Bowman's Capsule: Surrounds the glomerulus and collects the filtrate.

- Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT): Reabsorbs nutrients, water, and ions back into the

bloodstream.

- Loop of Henle: Extends into the medulla, reabsorbing water and concentrating urine.

- Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT): Further adjusts the urine composition by reabsorbing ions and

secreting wastes.

- Collecting Duct: Collects urine from multiple nephrons and transports it to the renal pelvis.

3. Physiology of Urine Formation and Excretion

3.1 Stages of Urine Formation:

- Glomerular Filtration:

- Blood enters the glomerulus under high pressure.

- Plasma, waste products, and small molecules pass into the Bowman's capsule, forming the

filtrate.

- Large molecules like proteins remain in the blood.

- Tubular Reabsorption:

- Occurs mainly in the PCT.

- Essential molecules (glucose, amino acids, ions) are reabsorbed back into the blood.

- 99% of water is reabsorbed, primarily in the Loop of Henle and DCT.

- Tubular Secretion:
- Active transport removes additional waste products like hydrogen ions and potassium ions from

the blood.

- Occurs mainly in the DCT and collecting duct.

- Excretion:

- Final urine, containing urea, creatinine, excess ions, and water, is transported to the renal pelvis.

- Urine then moves through the ureters to the bladder for storage before being excreted through

the urethra.

4. Homeostasis and Kidney Function

- Water Balance: Kidneys maintain hydration by adjusting water reabsorption. Antidiuretic hormone

(ADH) regulates water reabsorption in the collecting ducts.

- Electrolyte Balance: Kidneys regulate electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and calcium.

Aldosterone hormone controls sodium reabsorption and potassium secretion in the nephron.

- Acid-Base Balance: Kidneys maintain pH by reabsorbing bicarbonate and excreting hydrogen ions

as needed.

- Blood Pressure Regulation: Renin released by kidneys triggers a pathway that regulates blood

pressure and blood flow.

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