Unit 10 Kidney Flashcards
The renal cortex contains of what 3 parts of the nephron?
Glomeruli
Proximal tubules
Distal tubules
The renal medulla contains of what 2 components of the nephron?
Loop of Henle
Collecting ducts
The kidney resides between what levels of the spinal cord?
T12 and L2
Right kidney is slightly more caudal to accommodate the liver
What is the point of entry and exit for the renal artery, vein, nerves, lymphatic, and ureters?
Hilum
The medulla is divided into several _____.
Pyramids
The apex of each pyramid is directed towards the renal pelvis, what is the apex of the pyramid called?
Papilla
The papilla contains lots of _______.
Collecting ducts
The papilla drain urine into the _____.
Minor calyces
Multiple minor calyces converge to form the ______.
Major calyces
Multiple major calyces converge to form the ______.
Renal pelvis
The renal pelvis empties into the _____.
Ureter
What are the calyces, pelvis, and ureters have the capability to do what to help move urine towards the bladder?
Contract
List the 6 functions of the kidney
- Maintenance of extracellular volume and composition
- Blood pressure regulation: long and intermediate term
- Excretion of toxins and metabolites
- Maintenance of acid-base balance
- Hormone production
- Blood glucose homeostasis
How does the kidney contribute to the volume and composition of the extracellular fluid?
There are 2 key hormones that govern how the kidney regulates ECF volume and composition:
- aldosterone controls ECF volume, sodium and water are reabsorbed together
- antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin) controls plasma osmolarity, water is reabsorbed but sodium is not
What other solutes besides Na and water does the kidney regulate?
K Cl Phos Mg H+ Bicarb Glucose Urea
How do the kidneys help to regulate BP? What other systems also contribute to the BP regulation?
The kidneys provide intermediate no long term BP control:
- long term control of BP is carried out by the thirst mechanism (intake) and sodium and water excretion (output)
- Intermediate term control of BP is carried out by the RAAS
- Short term control of BP is carried out by the baroreceptor reflex
Hoe 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 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 titrations hydrogen in the tubular fluid, which creates acidic or basic urine
What stimulates the kidney to release erythropoietin? What does EPO do after it is released?
Erythropoietin is released in response to inadequate O2 delivery to the kidney. (Clinical examples: anemia, reduced intravascular volume, hypoxia from altitude, cardiac and/or pulmonary failure)
- EPO stimulates stem cells in the bone marrow to produce RBCs
- Severe kidney disease reduces EPO production and leads to chronic anemia
What is calcitriol, and what does it do?
Calciferol is synthesized from ingested vitamin D or following exposure to ultraviolet light.
- in the liver, calciferol is converted to 25 [OH] vitamin D3 (inactive D3)
- in the kidney (under control of PTH), 25 [OH] vitamin D3 is converted to calcitriol (1,25 [OH]2 vitamin D3, the active form of D3
Calcitriol has 3 functions, it stimulates:
- the intestine to absorb Ca+2 from food
- the bone to store Ca+2
- the kidney to reabsorbed Ca+2 and phosphate
What prostaglandins vasodilate the renal arteries? Which constrict the renal arteries?
Vasodilate: PGE2 and PGI2
Constrict: Thromboxane A2
How to the kidneys help blood glucose homeostasis?
They kidneys (like the liver) are capable of synthesizing glucose from amino acids, thereby preventing hypoglycemia during fasting. The kidneys rival the liver’s ability to perform Gluconeogenesis
How much blood flow do the kidneys receive (% of CO and total flow)
20-25% of CO
1000-1250 mL/min
Of the blood delivered to the kidney, how much is filtered at the glomerulus?
20%