07.2 Glomerular disorders

Diseases affecting the kidney's filtering units (glomeruli) on both sides, causing problems with filtration and symptoms like blood and protein in urine.

A pattern of glomerular damage that affects more than half of the glomeruli in the kidneys.

A pattern of glomerular damage confined to a specific part of the glomerulus.

A pattern of glomerular damage that affects the entire filtering unit of the glomerulus.

Glomerular disorders that originate within the kidney itself, often without a clear cause.

Glomerular disorders caused by diseases originating elsewhere in the body, like autoimmune diseases or infections.

Glomerular disorders characterized by inflammation and cell growth within the glomeruli.

Glomerular disorders characterized by changes in the glomeruli without an increase in cell numbers.

Ultrafiltrate from blood is collected here before entering the proximal convoluted tubule.

Inflammation triggered by antibodies targeting components of the glomerular basement membrane or immune complexes.

Immune complexes, either circulating in the blood or formed within the glomerulus, lead to deposits in the mesangium or subendothelium.

An imbalance in lymphocyte response triggers localized inflammation and damage mediated by cells.

Disruption of the slit diaphragm or GBM charge allows albumin and other proteins to leak into the urine.

Structural breaks in the glomerular capillary wall allow red blood cells to leak into Bowman's space.

Primarily used for minimal change disease and some immune-mediated disorders to reduce inflammation.

Target immune-mediated injury in proliferative glomerular diseases, suppressing immune responses.

A specialized test that involves obtaining a sample of kidney tissue to examine under a microscope, used to diagnose glomerular diseases by directly analyzing the structure of the glomerulus.

A common symptom in nephrotic syndrome, characterized by excessive protein loss in the urine, exceeding 3.5 grams per day.

A group of medications that suppress the immune system, often used to treat inflammatory conditions like nephritic syndromes, where immune system activity is causing damage to the glomeruli.

A class of drugs used to manage hypertension (high blood pressure) by relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow, often employed in treating glomerular diseases to protect the kidney.

The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood, composed of a capillary network surrounded by the GBM and podocytes, forming a barrier for size and charge-selective filtration.

A specialized structure within the glomerular filtration barrier, formed by the negatively charged GBM, fenestrated endothelium, podocytes, and slit diaphragm, essential for blocking large molecules and negatively charged substances from entering the urine.

Small cell extensions that wrap around the capillaries of the glomerulus, forming an additional layer of the filtration barrier, preventing large molecules from crossing the barrier.

Glomerular disorders are classified based on their location, cause, and appearance under a microscope. This helps doctors understand the disease and choose the right treatment.

When the filter in the kidneys (glomerulus) is damaged, it lets blood cells and protein leak into the urine. This causes hematuria (blood in urine) and proteinuria (protein in urine).

A biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing glomerular disorders. It involves examining a small sample of kidney tissue under a microscope to see the extent and type of damage.

Some glomerular disorders are caused by other diseases, like autoimmune diseases or infections. These are called secondary glomerular disorders.

The management of glomerular disorders depends on the type of disease and its severity. Some patients might just need medication, while others may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.