Renal Physiology Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing renal physiology concepts.

Kidney

Filters blood, reabsorbs essential substances, and secretes waste products.

Ureter

Connects kidneys to the bladder.

Detrusor Muscle

Involuntary smooth muscle in the bladder wall.

Trigone

Area in the bladder that is commonly inflamed during a UTI.

Internal Sphincter

Involuntary sphincter that controls urine flow from the bladder.

External Urethral Sphincter

Voluntary sphincter that allows conscious control of urination.

Renal Corpuscle

Filtration unit of the nephron.

Glomerulus

Capillary network within the renal corpuscle where filtration occurs.

Bowman's Capsule

Surrounds the glomerulus and collects the filtrate.

Filtration Slits

Limit the size of filtered molecules and repel large proteins due to their negative charge.

Juxtaglomerular Apparatus

Monitors Na+ levels and blood pressure in the nephron.

Macula Densa

Detects Na+ concentration and pressure in the distal tubule.

JG Cells

Secrete renin to increase blood pressure.

PCT (Proximal Convoluted Tubule)

Responsible for most of the reabsorption of filtered substances.

Loop of Henle

Its length determines the concentration of urine.

DCT (Distal Convoluted Tubule)

Primary site for secretion of substances into the filtrate.

Glomerular Hydrostatic Pressure

Promotes filtration in the glomerulus.

Glomerular Oncotic Pressure

Opposes filtration in the glomerulus due to protein concentration.

Capsular Hydrostatic Pressure

Opposes filtration due to fluid pressure in Bowman's capsule.

Capsular Oncotic Pressure

Not normally present and opposes filtration.

Aldosterone

Increases Na+ reabsorption in the DCT, leading to increased water reabsorption and blood pressure.

ADH

Increases water reabsorption in the DCT, leading to increased blood volume and blood pressure.