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Nephrology is the medical specialty which addresses diseases of kidney function: these include CKD, nephritic and nephrotic syndromes, acute kidney injury, and pyelonephritis. Urology addresses diseases of kidney (and urinary tract) anatomy : these include cancer , renal cysts , kidney stones and ureteral stones , and urinary tract obstruction .
Renal physiology (Latin renes, "kidneys") 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 ...
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. [citation needed] Proper function of the kidney requires that it receives and adequately filters blood.
The main functions of the urinary system and its components are to: Regulate blood volume and composition (e.g. sodium, potassium and calcium) Regulate blood pressure. Regulate pH homeostasis of the blood. Contributes to the production of red blood cells by the kidney. Helps synthesize calcitriol (the active form of Vitamin D).
The main structural and functional element of the kidney is the nephron. [15] Between animals, the kidneys can differ in the number of nephrons and in their organisation. [16] According to the complexity of the organisation of the nephron, the kidneys are divided into pronephros, mesonephros and metanephros. [17]
The kidney's primary function is the elimination of waste from the bloodstream by production of urine. They perform several homeostatic functions such as:- Maintain volume of extracellular fluid; Maintain ionic balance in extracellular fluid; Maintain pH and osmotic concentration of the extracellular fluid.
The kidneys in mammals are usually bean-shaped [4] or externally lobulated. [5] They are located behind the peritoneum (retroperitoneally) [6] on the back wall of the body. [7] The typical mammalian kidney consists of a renal capsule, a peripheral cortex, an internal medulla, one or more renal calyces, and a renal pelvis. [7]
The collecting duct system is the final component of the kidney to influence the body's electrolyte and fluid balance. In humans, the system accounts for 4–5% of the kidney's reabsorption of sodium and 5% of the kidney's reabsorption of water. At times of extreme dehydration, over 24% of the filtered water may be reabsorbed in the collecting ...