Chapter 19: The Kidneys

These flashcards cover key concepts, terms, and definitions related to kidney function and anatomy, as outlined in Chapter 19 of the course material.

Functions of the Kidneys

1. Regulation of extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure 2. Regulation of osmolarity 3. Maintenance of ion balance 4. Homeostatic regulation of pH 5. Excretion of wastes 6. Production of hormones

Renal Physiology

Study of the kidneys, encompassing their functions and structures within the urinary system.

Nephron

Functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming urine.

Filtration

Process of moving fluid from blood into the lumen of the nephron, occurring at the renal corpuscle.

Reabsorption

Process in which materials from the filtrate are returned to the blood, primarily in the peritubular capillaries.

Secretion

The active movement of molecules from the blood into the nephron lumen, important for homeostatic regulation.

Excretion

The process by which filtered substances are eliminated from the body via urine.

GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate)

Volume of fluid filtered by the kidneys per unit of time, an important measure of kidney function.

Filtration Fraction

Percentage of renal plasma flow that is filtered into the renal tubules.

Tubuloglomerular Feedback

Mechanism by which the kidney regulates glomerular filtration rate based on sodium concentration in the distal tubule.