Anatomy of the Renal System

By:
Jesus Mario A. Lopez Jr., RN, RTRP
Kidneys: Overview
Regulation of blood ionic composition.
- It help regulate the blood levels of several ions, most
importantly sodium ions (Na), potassium ions (K),
calcium ions (Ca2), chloride ions (Cl), and phosphate
ions (HPO42).
Regulation of blood pH.
- It excrete a variable amount of hydrogen ions (H)
into the urine and conserve bicarbonate ions (HCO3),
which are an important buffer of H in the blood. Both
of these activities help regulate blood pH.
Regulation of blood volume.
- It adjust blood volume by conserving or eliminating
water in the urine. An increase in blood volume
increases blood pressure; a decrease in blood volume
decreases blood pressure.
Kidneys: Overview
Regulation of blood pressure.
- It also help regulate blood pressure by secreting the enzyme
renin, which activates the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone
pathway. Increased renin causes an increase in blood pressure.
Maintenance of blood osmolarity.
- By separately regulating loss of water and loss of solutes in the
urine, the kidneys maintain a relatively constant blood
osmolarity close to 300 milliosmoles per liter (mOsm/liter).*
- Antidiueretic Hormone (ADH) is stumulated by the hypothalamus
when the body senses dehydration or ↑sodium intake and by fll
of BP
Production of hormones.
- It produce two hormones. Calcitriol, the active form of vitamin
D, helps regulate calcium homeostasis and erythropoietin
stimulates the production of red blood cell
Kidneys: Overview
Regulation of blood glucose level.
- Like the liver, the kidneys can use the amino acid
glutamine in gluconeogenesis, the synthesis of new
glucose molecules. They can then release glucose into the
blood to help maintain a normal blood glucose level.
Excretion of wastes and foreign substances.
- By forming urine, the kidneys help excrete wastes
substances that have no useful function in the body. Some
wastes excreted in urine result from metabolic reactions in
the body. These include ammonia and urea from the
deamination of amino acids; bilirubin from the catabolism
of hemoglobin; creatinine from the breakdown of creatine
phosphate in muscle fibers; and uric acid from the
catabolism of nucleic acids. Other wastes excreted in urine
are foreign substances from the diet, such as drugs and
environmental toxins.
Kidneys: Overview
Kidneys: Overview
Kidneys: Overview
The Nephron
- Functional unit of the kidney.
- it is composed of 1 million nephrons.
- Composed of glomerulus (network of capillaries that filters
blood) & tubules (proximal, distal & loop of Henle)
References:
- Egan’s Fundamentals of Respiratory Care
by Kacmarek, Wilkins, Stoller, 10th edition

- Essential’s in Respiratory Care by

Kacmarek, 3rd edition

- CardioPulmonary Anatomy and Physiology

by Terry des Jardins, 5th edition

- Principles of Anatomy and Physiology by

Tortora, Derrickson, 12th edition