FUNCTIONS OF KIDNEY

FUNCTIONS OF KIDNEY
excretory function
homeostatic function
endocrine function
metabolic function

EXCRETORY FUNCTION
This include formation and excretion
of urine.
The main step involved are
Glomerular filtration
Tubular reabsorption
Tubular secretion

Filtration
Renal corpuscle
Filtration membrane
Fenestrated endothelium of capillaries
Basement membrane of glomerulus
Slit membrane between pedicels of
podocytes

Forces that influence

filtration
Glomerular blood hydrostatic
pressure
Opposing forces:
Plasma colloid osmotic pressure
Capsular hydrostatic pressure

Glomerular Filtration Rate

Volume of plasma filtered / unit time

Approx. 180 L /day
Urine output is about 1- 2 L /day
About 99% of filtrate is reabsorbed

GFR influenced by:

Blood pressure and blood flow

Obstruction to urine outflow
Loss of protein-free fluid
Hormonal regulation
Renin angiotensin
Aldosterone
ADH
ANP
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Juxtaglomerular apparatus
Juxtaglomerular cells lie in the wall of
afferent arteriole
Macula densa in final portion of loop
of Henle monitor Na+ and Cl- conc.
and water
Control blood flow into the
glomerulus
Control glomerular filtration
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Tubular reabsorption
Water, glucose, amino acids, urea,
ions
Sodium diffuses into cell; actively
pumped out drawing water with it

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 In addition to reabsorption, also have

tubular secretion substances move
from peritubular capillaries into
tubules a second chance to remove
substances from blood.

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 By end of proximal tubule have

reabsorbed:
60- 70% of water and sodium
about 100% of glucose and amino
acids
90 % of K+, bicarb, Ca++, uric acid
Transport maximum maximum
amount of a substance that can be
absorbed per unit time
Renal threshold plasma conc. of a
substance at which it exceeds Tm.
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Loop of Henle
Responsible for producing a
concentrated urine by forming a
concentration gradient within the
medulla of kidney.
When ADH is present, water is
reabsorbed and urine is
concentrated.
Counter-current multiplier
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Distal convoluted tubule and

collecting ducts

What happens here depends on ADH

Aldosterone affects Na+ and K+
ADH facultative water reabsorption
Parathyroid hormone increases Ca+
+ reabsorption

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Distal convoluted tubule and

collecting ducts
Tubular secretion to rid body of
substances: K+, H+, urea,
ammonia, creatinine and certain
drugs
Secretion of H+ helps maintain
blood pH
(can also reabsorb bicarb and
generate new bicarb)
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Homeostatic Functions of Urinary

System
1.

Regulate blood volume and blood pressure:

by adjusting volume of water lost in urine
releasing erythropoietin and renin

2. Regulate plasma ion concentrations:

sodium, potassium, and chloride ions (by
controlling quantities lost in urine)
calcium ion levels

3. Help stabilize blood pH:

by controlling loss of hydrogen ions and
bicarbonate ions in urine
4.

Conserve valuable nutrients:

by preventing excretion while excreting organic
waste products

5. Assist liver to detoxify poisons

ENDOCRINE FUNCTIONS
Kidneys have primary endocrine function since they
produce hormones
In addition, the kidneys are site of degradation for
hormones such as insulin and aldosterone.
In their primary endocrine function, the kidneys
produce erythropoietin, renin and prostaglandin.
Erythropoietin is secreted in response to a lowered
oxygen content in the blood. It acts on bone marrow,
stimulating the production of red blood cells.

 Renin -the primary stimuli for renin release

include reduction of renal perfusion pressure
and hyponatremia. Renin release is also
influenced by angiotension II and ADH.
It is a key stimulus of aldosterone release. The
effect of aldosterone is predominantly on the
distal tubular network, effecting an increase in
sodium reabsorption in exchange for
potassium.
The kidneys are primarily responsible for
producing vitamin D3 from
dihydroxycholecalciferol

METABOLIC FUNCTION
Kidney perform gluconiogenesis
during periods of starvation.

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