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Renal & Respiratory Physiology

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How the kidneys and lungs maintain homeostasis.

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Primary function of the kidneys

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  1. 1Primary function of the kidneys
    To filter blood and create urine, while controlling body fluid volume, osmolality, acid-base balance, electrolyte concentrations, and removing toxins
  2. 2Where are the kidneys located?
    In the retroperitoneal space, one on each side of the spine, at vertebral level T12 to L3
  3. 3Approximate size of adult human kidneys
    About 12 centimeters (4½ inches) in length
  4. 4Nephron
    The structural and functional unit of the kidney. Each adult human kidney contains around 1 million nephrons
  5. 5Two major structures of the kidney parenchyma
    The outer renal cortex and the inner renal medulla
  6. 6Renal pyramids
    Cone-shaped structures in the medulla, each containing renal cortex surrounding a portion of medulla
  7. 7Renal hilum
    A recessed area on the concave border where the renal artery enters and the renal vein and ureter exit
  8. 8What percentage of cardiac output do the kidneys receive?
    Approximately 20-25% of cardiac output in adult humans
  9. 9Glomerulus
    The initial filtering portion of a nephron located in the cortex where blood filtration occurs
  10. 10Four main processes involved in urine creation
    Filtration, reabsorption, secretion, and excretion
  11. 11How much filtrate does the adult human kidney generate per day?
    Approximately 180 liters of filtrate a day, most of which is reabsorbed
  12. 12Normal range for 24-hour urine volume
    800 to 2,000 milliliters per day
  13. 13Reabsorption in kidney physiology
    The transport of molecules from ultrafiltrate into the peritubular capillary network surrounding the nephron tubules
  14. 14What percentage of water is reabsorbed in the proximal tubule?
    55% of water is reabsorbed in the proximal tubule
  15. 15What happens to glucose at normal plasma levels in the kidney?
    It is completely reabsorbed in the proximal tubule via the Na+/glucose cotransporter
  16. 16At what plasma glucose level will glucose appear in urine (glucosuria)?
    A plasma glucose level of approximately 160 mg/dL is sufficient to allow glucosuria
  17. 17Secretion in kidney physiology
    The reverse of reabsorption: molecules are transported from the peritubular capillary through the interstitial fluid, then through the renal tubular cell and into the ultrafiltrate
  18. 18Excretion in kidney physiology
    The final step where ultrafiltrate passes out of the nephron through the collecting duct to the ureters where it is renamed urine
  19. 19What hormone does the kidney secrete in response to hypoxia?
    Erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates red blood cell production in bone marrow
  20. 20Calcitriol
    The activated form of vitamin D produced by the kidneys, which promotes intestinal absorption of calcium and renal reabsorption of phosphate
  21. 21Renin
    An enzyme secreted by the kidneys which regulates angiotensin and aldosterone levels
  22. 22Renin-angiotensin system
    A series of chemical messengers that ultimately alter kidney sodium absorption to regulate blood pressure
  23. 23Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
    A leading public health problem with a global estimated prevalence of 13.4%
  24. 24Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
    A measurement of kidney function calculated using serum creatinine to assess how well kidneys are filtering blood
  25. 25Dialysis
    A treatment for kidney failure that artificially removes waste products from blood when kidneys can no longer function adequately
  26. 26Renal physiology
    The study of kidney function
  27. 27Nephrology
    The medical specialty which addresses diseases of kidney function
  28. 28Urology
    The medical specialty that addresses diseases of kidney and urinary tract anatomy
  29. 29The word 'renal'
    An adjective meaning 'relating to the kidneys', with roots from French or late Latin
  30. 30Why is the right kidney typically slightly lower than the left?
    Due to the position of the liver in the abdominal cavity

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