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The Kidney: Organ of Osmoregulation and Excretion
The Kidney: Organ of Osmoregulation and Excretion
Renal vein
Kidney
Renal artery
Vena cava
Ureter
Bladder
Urethra
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS
The Kidney
Outer membrane
Renal
artery
Renal Nephrons
Vein (2 million)
Pelvis
Cortex
Medulla organised
Ureter
in pyramids
Urine
Tubule
Glomerulus
– a ball of
capillaries
Bowman’s capsule
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS
Medulla (view x400)
Tubules
Capillaries
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS
The nephron
In the cortex
In the medulla
Collecting duct
Loop of Henlé
pressure
Proteins do not pass
© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS
Filtration in the glomerulus
A membrane surrounds
each capillary of the
glomerulus
The blood plasma is
filtered at about 150 litres
per day
H2O H2O
Passive
osmosis
Ultrafiltration
under pressure 80% of water
reabsorbed
duct
Collecting
Loop
80% of water
All of the glucose
All of the amino acids
Blood pH is regulated
Blood salt levels are regulated
Urea is left behind and even secreted into the
tubules
Reabsorbed molecules pass into the surrounding
capillaries