Renal Physiology

"Renal physiology is the study of the physiology of the kidney."

"This encompasses all functions of the kidney, including maintenance of acid-base balance; regulation of fluid balance; regulation of sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes; clearance of toxins; absorption of glucose, amino acids, and other small molecules; regulation of blood pressure; production of various hormones, such as erythropoietin; and activation of vitamin D."

"Much of renal physiology is studied at the level of the nephron, the smallest functional unit of the kidney."

"Each nephron begins with a filtration component that filters the blood entering the kidney."

"The major functions of these lining cells are the reabsorption of water and small molecules from the filtrate into the blood, and the secretion of wastes from the blood into the urine."

"Proper function of the kidney requires that it receives and adequately filters blood."

"A global assessment of renal function is often ascertained by estimating the rate of filtration, called the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)."

"Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the rate of filtration."

"A renal corpuscle is composed of a glomerulus and a Bowman's capsule."

"This filtrate then flows along the length of the nephron, which is a tubular structure lined by a single layer of specialized cells."

"The reabsorption of water and small molecules from the filtrate into the blood."

"The secretion of wastes from the blood into the urine."

"Renal physiology (Latin rēnēs, 'kidneys')"

"Production of various hormones, such as erythropoietin."

"Regulation of blood pressure."

"A global assessment of renal function is often ascertained by estimating the rate of filtration, called the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)."

"Regulation of sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes."

"Activation of vitamin D."

"Absorption of glucose, amino acids, and other small molecules."

"A renal corpuscle is composed of a glomerulus and a Bowman's capsule."