Diffusion and perfusion of the kidney

Mike Notohamiprodjo1, Maximilian F Reiser, Steven P Sourbron

  • 1Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospitals Munich, Campus Großhadern, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany. mike.notohamiprodjo@med.uni-muenchen.de

Related Concept Videos

Physiology of the Genitourinary System I: Renal Blood Flow and Glomerular Filtration01:29

Physiology of the Genitourinary System I: Renal Blood Flow and Glomerular Filtration

The kidneys are vital organs responsible for regulating blood filtration, waste excretion, and fluid balance, all of which are crucial for maintaining homeostasis. Renal physiology examines renal blood flow, glomerular filtration, and urine formation, ensuring the body’s internal environment remains stable.Renal Blood FlowThe kidneys receive about 20-25% of the cardiac output, typically around 1200 mL of blood per minute in an average adult. Blood flows into the kidneys through the renal...
Kidney Structure01:45

Kidney Structure

The kidneys are two large bean-shaped organs located in the upper abdomen. They filter the blood several times a day to remove toxins and rebalance water and electrolytes of the circulatory system via the renal veins. The kidneys receive blood directly from the heart via the renal arteries. These arteries enter the kidney at the hilum, the concave surface of the bean, where they branch and divide into smaller vessels and capillaries.
Filtration and Urine Formation01:32

Filtration and Urine Formation

The function of the kidneys is to filter, reabsorb, secrete, and excrete. Every day the kidneys filter nearly 180 liters of blood, initially removing water and solutes but ultimately returning nearly all filtrates into circulation with the help of osmoregulatory hormones. This process removes wastes and toxins but is also crucial to maintain water and electrolyte levels. Most of these functions are performed by the tiny but numerous nephrons contained within the kidneys.
Drug Elimination by Renal Route: Tubular Secretion01:15

Drug Elimination by Renal Route: Tubular Secretion

Once the process of glomerular filtration is completed, blood carrying unfiltered drug molecules traverses through efferent arterioles and makes its way into the peritubular capillaries in the proximal tubule. A variety of carriers play a pivotal role in actively secreting drugs from these peritubular capillaries into the tubular fluid. The organic anion transporter transfers acidic drugs, against an electrochemical gradient, from the peritubular capillaries into the renal tubule cells and...
Renal Drug Excretion: Glomerular Filtration01:02

Renal Drug Excretion: Glomerular Filtration

The kidney serves as the primary organ responsible for eliminating drugs and their metabolites from the body. This process, known as renal elimination, starts with glomerular filtration and results in urine formation. Each kidney houses millions of functional units called nephrons, where urine production occurs. A nephron has two main components: a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule.
Drugs gain access to the kidney via the renal artery, which progressively branches off into afferent arterioles.
Drug Elimination by Renal Route: Glomerular Filtration01:17

Drug Elimination by Renal Route: Glomerular Filtration

The kidney serves as the primary organ responsible for eliminating drugs and their metabolites from the body. This process, known as renal elimination, starts with glomerular filtration and results in urine formation. Each kidney houses millions of functional units called nephrons, where urine production takes place. A nephron has two main components: a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule. Drugs gain access to the kidney via the renal artery, which progressively branches off into afferent...