Where are the kidneys located? - ANSWER These are located in the posterior
abdominal cavity, on either side of the vertebral column (T12-L3)
-The right kidney is lower than the left due to hepatic displacement
Where does innervation of the/ureter kidneys occur? - ANSWER This occurs in
T8-L2
Explain the blood pathway in the kidneys. - ANSWER 1. Blood leaves the aorta
and enters the renal arteries
2. Renal arteries further branch into afferent arterioles at each nephron
3. Afferent arterioles will branch into glomerular capillaries, where 20% of it will
be filtered.
4. The other blood will leave the glomerular capillaries and enter the efferent
arteriole
5. The efferent arteriole will branch into peritubular capillaries that wrap around the
tubules of the nephron
6. These capillaries will then bring blood into renal veins
7. Renal veins will bring blood to the IVC
How much CO do the kidneys receive? - ANSWER 20-25% (1100-1200 mL/min)
How much of the CO does the renal cortex receive? - ANSWER 94-98% of that
cardiac output (1,034 - 1,078 mL/min)
How much CO does the renal medulla receive? - ANSWER 2-6 % (22 - 66 mL/hr)
The renal medulla is extremely metabolically active, so it requires a high oxygen
,demand. This is why the renal medulla is so sensitive to ischemia during times of
decreased renal perfusion
Explain autoregulation of the kidneys - ANSWER The kidneys are able to maintain
a constant pressure despite a wide range of MAPs due to intrinsic autoregulation
and neuronal regulation (between MAP of 50-150)
So, no matter if your MAP is 60 or 120, the pressure will remain the same in the
kidneys
What are the intrinsic autoregulation factors of the kidney? - ANSWER 1.
Myogenic
2. Tubuloglomerular feedback
What is the neuronal regulation of the kidneys? - ANSWER The SNS innervates
both the afferent and efferent arteriole; so when it is stimulated it will result in
vasoconstriction of them.
What are the two types of nephrons? - ANSWER cortical and juxtamedullary
What are cortical nephrons? - ANSWER These are the majority of the nephrons
and extend partially into the medulla
What are juxtamedullary nephrons? - ANSWER These are 20-30% of nephrons
that lie deep in the cortex and medulla
-Play an important role in urine concentration
What are the five components of the nephron? - ANSWER 1. Glomerulus (cortex)
2. Proximal tubule (cortex)
3. Loop of Henle (medulla)
4. Distal tubule (cortex)
5. Collecting duct (medulla)
What are the 5 functions of the kidneys? - ANSWER 1. Filtrate formation
2. Tubular secretion/reabsorption
, 3. Acid/base balance
4. Dopaminergic system
5. Hormone release
Where does filtrate formation begin? - ANSWER Filtrate formation begins at the
glomerulus. Blood enters glomerular capillaries, and some will enter into
Bowman's Capsule and become filtered into the tubules
What is normal GFR? - ANSWER Normal GFR is 90-125 mL/min
Water, glucose, and electrolytes will pass freely, while protein cannot (its too big)
If protein in the urine is present, this is a sign of kidney damage
GFR will begin to decrease by 10% every decade after 30
Glomerular nephritis - ANSWER Proteinuria and hematuria
What is GFR dependent on? - ANSWER 1. Pressure within the glomerular
capillaries
2. Pressure within Bowman's capsule
3. Colloid osmotic pressure from proteins in the plasma
What are the two tool we utilize to measure GFR? - ANSWER 1. Serum creatinine
2. Creatinine clearance
What is serum creatinine? - ANSWER Creatinine is a byproduct of creatine that is
broken down by the liver. It is freely filtered through the glomerulus
-This test measures the amount of creatinine is present in yo
ur blood (if you have a high level of creatinine, your kidneys are not filtering it
adequately, suggesting kidney injury)
This is the most REASONABLE TEST for GFR estimation (however, GFR will
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