renal strand Flashcards
(342 cards)
what are 3 functions of the kidneys
- remove toxins, excess water and waste products
- vital role in BP
- activate vitamin D
what things put individuals at risk of chronic kidney disease/CKD
- diabetes
- high BP
- heart and circulatory disease
- family history of CKD
- black/ asian minority
what is a nephron
a filtering unit
what is the outer area of the kidney called
the cortex
what is the middle region of the kidney called
the medulla
what is the blood supply to the kidney
renal vein and renal artery
where do we usually get collection of stones in the kidney
ureter - causing narrowing
list the journey the blood would take as it enters the kidney via the renal artery and leave via the renal vein
renal artery –> afferent arteriole –> bowman capsule –> glomerulus –> efferent arteriole —> peritubular capillaries —> vasa recta –> renal vien
where is the fluid leaked out of the blood supply and into the filtration system in the nephrons ? what blood vessles are involved here
fluid leaked out when the blood enters the glomerus into the bowmans space of the bowmen capsule
via the fenestrated capillaries and the basement membrane
highlight the steps the flitrate flows through in the kidneys
bowmans capsule –> bowmans space –> proximal tubule –> ascending loop of Henle –> descending loop of Henle –> distal tubule –> collecting duct
how are the nephrons arranged in the kidney
placed horizontally end to end
what are the 2 broad functions of the kidney
- homeostasis (maintenance of internal environment)
- hormone secretion (endocrine function)
how does the kidney maintain fluid and electrolyte balance ? what electrolytes does it control the levels of
maintains
- volume status : regulates the fluid balance through urine
- electrolyte levels: Na+, K+, Urea and creatinine
- osmolarity (conc of particles excepting an osmotic pressure)
how does the kidney regulate the acid base balance
maintains the optmimum pH for cellular function through bicarbonate regeneration in the proximal tubule
what small molecules does the kidney reabsorb
sugars and AA
what does the presence of sugars in the urine indicate
diabetes
tubular disorders
what does the presence of AA in the urine indicate
disease of the primal tubule
what does the kidney excrete
waste products
drugs
what are waste products produced by the kidney
nitrogenous waste products from protein metabolism:
urea and creatinine
what is creatine related from? why are its levels measured in the blood
muscle
used to measure kidney function
what kind of drugs can accumulate in the kidneys in kidney disease
- antibiotics (eg. penicilin)
- digoxin
- opiates
- lithium
how does the kidney stimulate RBC production / erythropoiesis ? what do patients with kidney disease develop
release erythropoietin which stimulates production off RBC
patients with kidney disease develop anaemia
what stimulates the production of RBC in the kidneys
hypoxia
why do athletes train at high altitudes
because hypoxia stimulates the release of
erythropoietin in the kidneys and so stimulates RBC production