The Kidneys
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A kidney is made up of a ureter, a renal pelvis, a medulla, a cortex, a capsule, a juxtamedullary nephron and a cortical nephron. The path of urine drainage starts at the collecting duct. It then proceeds to the papillary duct in the renal pyramid, then to the minor calyx, major calyx, then to the renal pelvis and finally to the ureter and urinary bladder.
Th renal blood supply has 25% cardiac output and is 1200 ml/min. There are two arterioles and two capillary beds. The arterioles are resistance vessels. The capillary beds are glomerular and peritubular.
Functions of the Kidneys:
The kidney functions to regulate blood ionic composition, blood pH, blood volume and blood pressure. It also maintains blood osmolarity and hormone production. Regulation of blood glucose and excretion of wastes are also parts of the kidney functions. Blood ionic composition is regulated by electrolyte balance. Blood pH is regulated by acid-base balance. The regulation of blood volume and blood pressure is regulated by body fluid volume and the Renin pathway. Hormones produced are Renin, Aldosterone, ADH, Calcitrol and EPO. Blood glucose is regulated by glutamine and GNG. Finally, wastes secreted are metabolites, drugs, excess water and solutes.
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