Renal Function

Question 1

What are the 6 functions of the kidneys?

Answer 1

1. Regulation of water and electrolyte balance
2. Excretion of metabolic waste and bioactive substances
3. Regulation of arterial blood pressure
4. Regulation of erythrocyte production
5. Regulation of Vitamin D production
6. Gluconeogensis

Question 2

What are the 3 distinct regions of the kidney?

Answer 2

1. Cortex - glomeruli
2. Medulla - nephron tubules
3. Renal pelvis - major and minor calyces

Question 3

Where are arcuate arteries and veins found?

Answer 3

Corticomedullary boundary

Question 4

Where are interlobular arteries and veins found?

Answer 4

Cortex

Question 5

What are the two main parts of the nephron?

Answer 5

Renal Corpuscle
Renal Tubule

Question 6

What are the 2 types of nephrons?

Answer 6

Cortical nephrons
Juxtamedullary nephrons

Question 7

What is the function of the cortical nephrons?

Answer 7

Most of the reabsorption that occurs within the kidney - glomeruli in outer cortex

Question 8

What is the function of the juxtamedullary nephrons?

Answer 8

Produce concentrated/diluted urine - glomeruli in inner cortex

Question 9

What are the three structures that make up the juxtaglomerular apparatus?

Answer 9

1. Macula densa of thick ascending limb - salt sensors
2. Extraglomerular mesangial cells - regulate blood flow
3. Granular cells of afferent arteriole - store and release renin

Question 10

What type of cells are found in the proximal tubule?

Answer 10

Simple cuboidal epithelial cells with brush border

Question 11

What type of cells are found in the thin ascending and descending limbs?

Answer 11

Squamous epithelium

Question 12

What type of cells are found in the thick ascending limb and distal tubule?

Answer 12

Cuboidal epithelium with invaginated basolateral membrane

Question 13

What type of cells are found in the collecting ducts?

Answer 13

Columnar epithelium - Principal cells and Intercalated cells

Question 14

What are the four factors that determine the NFP

Answer 14

NFP = Pcap + πif - Pif - πcap

Question 15

Why is hydrostatic pressure at afferent arterioles high relative to non-renal vascular beds?

Answer 15

Presence of efferent arterioles
Branching of glomerular capillaries

Question 16

Why does πcap increase along length of the glomerular capillaries?

Answer 16

1. Fluid leaving glomerular capillaries
2. large proteins not filtered