63. Physiology - Medullary Gradient - Dilution & Concentration of Tubular Fluid

A U-shaped portion of the nephron responsible for establishing the medullary interstitial gradient. It allows for the concentration or dilution of urine.

A process in the loop of Henle where the descending and ascending limbs work together to create a concentration gradient in the kidney medulla.

The exchange of substances between two fluids flowing in opposite directions, but not necessarily creating a concentration gradient.

The part of the loop of Henle that is more permeable to water than to solutes.

The part of the loop of Henle that is more permeable to solutes than to water, driving the formation of a high concentration in the medulla.

A concentration gradient estalished by the loop of Henle in the renal medulla.

A specialized capillary network that surrounds the loop of Henle, playing a crucial role in maintaining the medullary gradient.

A system where fluids flow in opposite directions to maximize energy efficiency.

A process where a gradient is established by using a countercurrent system, such as in the loop of Henle, allowing for the generation of more concentrated urine.

An increasing concentration of solutes in the kidney's inner region (medulla).

A U-shaped part of a nephron in the kidney that plays a crucial role in water reabsorption and urine concentration.

A measure of the concentration of solutes in urine.

The part of the loop of Henle that actively transports solutes out of the filtrate; it's impermeable to water.

The part of the loop of Henle that is permeable to water but impermeable to solutes.

The concentration of solutes in a solution.

A concentration difference between the kidney cortex and medulla, crucial for concentrating urine.

The rate at which solutes are taken back from the tubular fluid in the TALH directly impacts the gradient steepness.

The speed of tubular fluid through the loop of Henle influences the corticomedullary gradient.

Blood flow through the vasa recta capillaries surrounding the loop of Henle is a third factor impacting the gradient’s steepness.

A slower flow rate through the loop of Henle creates a steeper corticomedullary gradient, as more time allows transporters to effectively reabsorb the solute.

A protein crucial for sodium, chloride, and potassium reabsorption in the TALH, affecting the corticomedullary gradient.

Red blood cells (RBCs) decrease in size as they enter the kidney medulla, then return to normal size ascending.

Sickle cell hemoglobin polymerization due to low oxygen or high osmolality deforms RBCs, clogs capillaries and disrupts medulla function.

The kidney medulla maintains a concentration gradient, requiring energy for its creation and maintenance.

Damage to blood flow, tubules, or inadequate energy supply to the medulla can disrupt the medullary gradient.

Tight arrangement of blood vessels (vasa recta) and tubules in the medulla facilitates medullary gradient creation and maintenance.

Inflammatory diseases like interstitial nephritis can damage and disrupt the arrangement of tubules in the medulla.

The ability to concentrate urine and perform other tubular functions can be compromised due to disrupted tubular arrangements.

Vasa recta are specialized vessels, not simple capillaries.

The difference in solute concentration between the kidney cortex and medulla.

The ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine.

Drugs that prevent maximum urine dilution and concentration by impairing corticomedullary gradient.

Hereditary diseases caused by mutations in transporters.

Nephrons with long loops of Henle contributing to medullary gradient.

Urea is filtered at glomerulus, reabsorbed/secreted in tubules, recycling in medulla; contributing to medullary concentration.

A concentration gradient in the kidney medulla generated by solute movement

Proteins that help urea move across cell membranes.

A transporter protein that moves sodium, potassium, and chloride ions together.