Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The medullary microcirculation.

B L Zimmerhackl, C R Robertson, R L Jamison

    Kidney International
    |February 1, 1987
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    The renal medulla

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Downloadable computer models for renal replacement therapy.

    Kidney international·2006
    Same author

    Two-dimensional streptavidin crystals: macropatterns and micro-organization.

    Biomolecular engineering·2000
    Same author

    Macrophage migration inhibitory factor and acute lung injury.

    Chest·1999
    Same author

    Prying open the door to the tobacco industry's secrets about nicotine: the Minnesota Tobacco Trial.

    JAMA·1998
    Same author

    Hyponatremia: a re-examination.

    Current opinion in nephrology and hypertension·1997
    Same author

    Low-flow (1 l/min) sevoflurane: is it safe?

    Anesthesiology·1997
    Same journal

    KDIGO Life Cycle of Guideline Development Series Part 6: Bridging the Gap between Guidelines and Clinical Practice: The KDIGO Approach to Global Implementation and Education in Nephrology.

    Kidney international·2026
    Same journal

    KDIGO Life Cycle of Guideline Development Series Part 5: Guideline updates and a living model for the future.

    Kidney international·2026
    Same journal

    Crystal-storing histiocytosis causing severe acute kidney injury.

    Kidney international·2026
    Same journal

    Peritoneal dialysis in a patient with extensive burn scarring.

    Kidney international·2026
    Same journal

    COPA syndrome unmasked by anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive immune-complex nephritis.

    Kidney international·2026
    Same journal

    Monitoring anti-nephrin antibodies in the management of recurrent diffuse podocytopathy.

    Kidney international·2026
    See all related articles

    Area of Science:

    • Nephrology
    • Renal Physiology
    • Vascular Biology

    Background:

    • The renal medulla's circulation is crucial for oxygen and nutrient supply, waste removal, and maintaining osmotic balance.
    • Understanding the dual functions of medullary circulation, including countercurrent exchange and water reabsorption, is key to renal physiology.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To elucidate the mechanisms by which the renal medulla balances its supply and waste removal functions with water reabsorption.
    • To detail the process of plasma protein concentration changes and solute movement within the vasa recta.

    Main Methods:

    • Analysis of blood flow dynamics in descending and ascending vasa recta.
    • Examination of osmotic and oncotic pressure gradients across the capillary walls.
    • Investigation of solute (urea, sodium chloride) and water transport.

    Related Experiment Videos

    Main Results:

    • Plasma protein concentration doubles in the descending vasa recta due to water extraction.
    • Urea is effectively trapped in the medulla, while sodium chloride is less efficiently exchanged and removed.
    • Antidiuretic hormone reduces medullary blood flow, whereas prostaglandins can enhance it.

    Conclusions:

    • The medullary circulation employs complex countercurrent exchange mechanisms to simultaneously support metabolic needs and conserve water.
    • Differential handling of urea and sodium chloride contributes to medullary concentration gradients.
    • Hormonal regulation by antidiuretic hormone and prostaglandins fine-tunes medullary blood flow.