Physiology 2130 Lecture 11: Module 11
8 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
The renal system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The principal function of the kidneys is the regulation of water balance, electrolyte levels, ph of the blood, and the long-term regulation of arterial pressure. As we examine these functions, you will be seeing many concepts including homeostasis, etagere feedback, and volume and composition of body uid compartments, membrane transport mechanisms and osmosis. The basic function of the kidneys is to remove nonessential substances from the plasma, including waste metabolites, excess water, and electrolytes and to recover essential substances like glucose. In doing so, the kidneys plat a major role in regulating the water levels, the chemical concentration of the body uid compartments, and ph (acidity) of the blood. It is important to understand that the kidneys do not produce water or electrolytes but only conserve them by reducing the amount removed from the body. The elimination of waste or foreign substances is an important function of the kidneys.
