Physiology 2130 Lecture Notes - Renal Blood Flow, Paracellular Transport, Oncotic Pressure
Document Summary
Section 11. 2 introduction: the renal system includes: 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. Section 11. 3 functions of the kidney: the basic function of the kidneys is to remove nonessential substances from the plasma, including waste metabolites, excess water, and electrolytes and to recover any essential substance like glucose. In doing so, the kidneys play a major role in regulating the water levels, the chemical concentration of the body fluid compartments, and ph (or acidity) of the blood. Section 11. 4 - anatomy of the kidneys: the kidneys are roughly the size of a fist, they consist of: Inner calyces that drain into a central renal pelvis. The renal pelvis then drains into the ureter: located within the renal pyramids are the functional units of the kidneys the nephrons. Each nephron drains through a collecting duct into a calyx.
