Transport of Small Solutes in Renal Medulla

The urinary system- includes a pair of kidneys and their ureters, urinary bladder and urethra. The kidney produce urine and the ureters convey it to the urinary bladder for temporary storage. Finally the urine is evacuated from the bladder through urethra. Anatomies of the kidneys -The kidneys are paired organs. Average measurements of each kidney are; Length 11-14 cm in adults, Breadth 5-6cm, Thickness 3-4 cm Weight - Male (adult) 150-170gm, Female (adult) 130-150 gm. Each kidney is situated retroperitoneal in the posterior abdominal wall by the side of the vertebral column extends from the Twelfth thoracic to third lumbar vertebrae. Each kidney is bean shaped with hilum directed medially. Right kidney is slightly lower than its left partner due to the presence of live. Axes of KidneyLong axis: The kidney is directed downwards and laterally so that upper end is nearer to the vertebral column than the lower end. Transverse axis: It is directed laterally and backwards, because kidney rests on the sloping Para-vertebral gutter of muscles. Vasa recta possess fenestrated walls, which facilitates movement of diffusible substances. The collecting ducts merge in the inner medulla to form the ducts of Bellini, which empty at the apices of the papillae into the calyces. The calyces, in common with the renal pelvis, ureter and bladder, are lined with transitional cell epithelium. The functional unit of the kidney is the nephron, of which each contains approximately 1 million. Each nephron is made up of a glomerulus, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of henle, distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct. Function of Kidney- 1) Elaborate urine and eliminate waste products from blood 2) Maintain electrolyte and water balance of body 3) Kidneys secrete renin for auto regulation of blood flow and blood pressure
Fig: principal parts of the nephron

4) Kidneys secrete erythropoietin for maturation of RBCs 5) Kidneys secrete 1,25, hydroxycholecaliferol for control of Ca metabolism.

Blood Supply Arterial blood is supplied to the kidneys via the renal arteries, which branch off the abdominal aorta. Venous blood is conveyed to the inferior venacava via the renal vein. Distribution of Blood Supply - The renal artery reaches the kidney between the renal vein in front and pelvis of behind and divides into anterior and posterior trunks. - Post trunk passes behind the renal pelvis and is - Anterior trunk passes in front of the renal continued as pelvis and subdivides renal pelvis

4 segmental arteriesApical Upper & anterior Middle & anterior Inferior

Post Segmental Artey

- The segmental artery supplies the content of renal sinus and divides into Interlobular arteries
Gives branches called

Lobar branches
Divides into

Arcuate arteries arch cover the base of pyramids

Interlobial arteries which pass through the renal columns between the adjacent pyramids

Each interlobular artery gives origin from the sides to a number of afferent glomerular arterteries, which are arranged in different directions -

1) Most from glomerular plexuses received by Bowmans capsule of cortical glomeruli

2) Some form (15%) glomerular plexus in the juxta-medullary glomeruli