Physiology of the Kidneys

A collection of vocabulary terms and their definitions related to the physiology of the kidneys.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney, consisting of small tubules and associated blood vessels that filter blood and produce urine.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

A hormone secreted by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow.

Micturition

The process of urination, controlled by the coordination of the detrusor muscle and sphincters.

Glomerulus

A network of capillaries in the kidney where blood filtration begins.

Aldosterone

A hormone produced by the adrenal cortex that regulates sodium and potassium levels by promoting sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion.

Countercurrent Multiplier System

A mechanism in the nephron that establishes a concentration gradient for the absorption of water, involving the loop of Henle.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hormone that regulates water balance by increasing water reabsorption in the collecting duct.

Diabetes Insipidus

A condition characterized by excessive urinary output and thirst due to inadequate ADH secretion or a failure of kidneys to respond to ADH.

Proteinuria

The presence of excess proteins in urine, often a sign of kidney damage.

Renal Clearance

The volume of plasma from which a substance is completely removed by the kidneys per unit time.