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Questions and Answers
What is the role of the afferent arteriole in the nephron?
What is the function of the mesangial cells in the glomerulus?
What is the main characteristic of the glomerulus compared to other capillaries?
What is the function of granular juxtaglomerular cells in the nephron?
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What is the role of Bowman’s capsule in the nephron?
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Study Notes
Renal Anatomy
- The kidney has a bean-shape and weighs approximately 1% of the body's total weight.
- The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space.
- Each kidney has approximately 1.2 million nephrons, which are the functional units of the kidney.
Blood Supply to the Kidneys
- About 25% of cardiac output, or approximately 1.2-1.5 L/min, flows to the kidneys.
- This translates to around 180 L/day.
- Only about 1% of the blood, or approximately 125 mL/min, is filtered out into the renal tubules.
Nephron Structure
- The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney and consists of two main parts:
- Renal corpuscle: glomerulus and Bowman's capsule.
- Renal tubule: proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle (Descending limb and ascending limb), and distal convoluted tubule.
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Description
Explore the fundamentals of renal function, including renal anatomy, physiology, assessment, and pathophysiology. Understand the bean-shaped structure of the kidneys, their retroperitoneal location, and the crucial role of nephrons. Delve into the filtration process and the significant cardiac output directed to the kidneys for filtration.
