Renal System Flashcards
Name 3 countercurrent systems in the body.
1) loop of Henle (nephron)
2) vasa recta (capillaries of nephron)
3) blood flow to the testes through spermatic artery and veins
What is a countercurrent system?
Inflow runs parallel to outflow for some distance; “u-shaped” tube
What is the difference in a countercurrent exchange and a countercurrent multiplier system? Which one of these does the kidney use?
Answer
What is the function of the countercurrent systems in the kidney?
Answer
What blood vessels supply the loop of Henle?
Vasa recta
The _______ regulate the volume and composition of extracellular fluid.
kidneys
The _______ is the functional unit of the kidney.
nephron
Metabolic end products are excreted by ________.
filtration; filtered into and trapped within the renal tubule
Concentration = __________
volume (in water)
Osmolality is another term for ________.
Na+ concentration
Sodium Salts are _____% of the total osmolality of the ECF.
90%
________ regulates Na+.
aldosterone
What is the normal range for osmolality?
300 mOsm/kg (range 270-310)
The kidneys maintain ECF volume by controlling _____ and ______ excretion.
salt (NaCl) and water
What are the 3 primary endocrine roles of the kidney?
1) erythropoietin–> acts on bone marrow to stimulate RBC production; chronic renal pt’s may be anemic d\t low production of erythropoietin
2) RAS—> enzyme hormone system to regulate BP, K+ excretion, and Na+ reabsorption
3) vitamin D—> starts in the skin—> liver (picks up hydroxyl group—> kidneys (picks up another hydroxyl group)—> D3 (active form)
* chronic renal pt’s may be hypocalcemic b\c vit D helps in the absorption of calcium from the intestine
Na+ concentration is another term for _______.
osmolality
Blood is delivered to the glomerulus via the _______ arteriole and exits the glomerulus via the ______ arteriole.
afferent; efferent
Kidneys get approx ______ % of cardiac output.
25% or 1.25L (based on 5L/min CO)
The kidneys rework the ECF about once every ______, thereby maintaining its composition and volume.
once every 2 hours
*dialysis machines are only capable of reworking the ECF of anephric (kidney free) pt’s once every 8-12 hours
What are the components of the renal tubule?
1) Bowman’s capsule (encapsulates the glomerulus)
2) proximal tubule
3) loop of Henle
4) distal tubule
5) collecting duct
The loop of Henle adjusts concentration of ______ and ______.
Na+ and H2O
What occurs in the descending LOH?
osmosis–> H2O reabsorbed and Na+ left behind–> becomes concentrated
What occurs in the ascending LOH?
Na+ reabsorbed and H2O stays behind
Aldosterone effects the ______ of the renal tubule, and ADH effects the _______ of the renal tubule.
aldosterone=distal tubule=Na+
ADH=collecting duct=H2O