The kidneys:

An excretory organ or a
regulatory organ?
Which among the following substance will
be 100% found in URINE?
A. Substance with MW more than 70,000 daltons

B. Substance with MW less than 70,000 daltons

and reabsorbed in the proximal tubules

C. Substance with MW less than 70,000 daltons but is

not reabsorbed nor secreted by the renal tubules
Renal anatomy &
physiology: overview
Learning Objectives:
1) Describe the anatomy of the human kidney.
2) Explain how wastes or excess water are
removed while some substances are retained
3) Compare and contrast the concepts of
renal blood flow, glomerular filtration,
tubular secretion and reabsorption.
References:
❑
Bishop – Renal Function
❑
Henry – page 174-178

❑
AUBF by Strasinger – Chapter 1 (Renal Physiology)
KIDNEY
KIDNEY
 KIDNEY
Renal Functions (Anatomy Renal Functions (AUBF-Strasinger)
PDF Reviewer)

a) Filters blood a) Renal Blood Flow

b) Excrete wastes b) Glomerular Filtration
and excess water
c) Tubular reabsorption
thru urine

c) Regulate blood d) Tubular secretion

pressure, volume,
pH and salt
1) Renal Blood Flow
-How blood is filtered
-track down blood flow into and
out of the kidney
RENAL
ARTERY
 RENAL
ARTERY
1.Renal artery
2.Afferent arteriole
3.Glomerulus
4.Efferent arteriole
5.Peritubular
capillaries (C)
6.Vasa Recta (M)
7.Renal vein
1) Renal Blood Flow
x How blood is filtered
x Track down blood flow into and out of the
kidney
2) Glomerular Filtration
2. Glomerular
Filtration

Non-selective filter
–substances having
MW of <70k daltons
may pass thru and
become part filtrate
1) Renal Blood Flow
2)Glomerular Filtration
3)Tubular Reabsorption
4)Tubular Secretion
3. Tubular Reabsorption

Substances are removed from the

glomerular filtrate and returned to the blood
through cellular transport mechanisms

a) Active transport Glucose, AA, salts,

chloride, sodium
b) Passive transport
Water. Urea. sodium
 S ADH
Controlled
Aldosterone

controlled H2O
GAAs-WU reabsorption

RENAL
THRESHOLD H2O
- Glucose
*160-180mg/dL
4. Tubular Secretion
Involves passage of substances from the blood
in the peritubular capillaries to the
tubular filtrate
2 major Functions/ Roles:
a) Elimination of waste products not filtered by
the glomerulus
b) Regulation of acid base balance in the body
through secretion of hydrogen ions