Urinary System

Components of Urinary System

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Longitudinal Section of a Kidney

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Blood Supply of the Kidney

• Although weight of both the kidneys is less than 1% of

the total body weight their blood supply is 21% of the
Cardiac Output (CO).
• On the average it is 1200 ml / min which is
equivalent to 22.8% of CO.
• Plasma flow is 650 ml / min
• G.F.R is 125 ml / min.
• Filtration fraction = GFR / Renal plasma flow = 0.2 or
20%.

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Functions of the kidney

• Homeostatic Function

• Excretory Function

• Endocrine Function

• Synthetic function

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Homeostatic Function

• This function is essential for survival and normal

functioning of the cells of the body.
• It is achieved by:
– Regulation of Water Balance
– Regulation of Electrolyte Balance
– Regulation of Osmolarity
– Regulation of Salt and Water Balance which
ultimately regulates ECF volume and BP
– Regulation of pH of body fluids.

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Excretory Function

• Kidneys excrete metabolic end products like urea, uric

acid and creatinine, which if accumulate in the body
are toxic to the brain.
• They also excrete foreign compounds like drugs, food
additives, pesticides and other exogenous non
nutritive material that have gained entrance to the
body.

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Endocrine &Synthetic Function

• Kidneys synthesize following hormones

– Erythropoietin
– Renin ( An enzymatic hormone )
– Activation of Vitamin D
– Kinins
• Kidneys can also synthesize glucose from amino acids
and other precursors during prolong fasting. However it
is the hormonal and liver mechanism which regulates
the blood glucose level and not the kidneys

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Functional Units of the Kidney
• Nephrons are the microscopic functional units of
the kidney. Each kidney contains more than 1 million
nephrons. Once they are destroyed they can not be
regenerated so their number decreases with aging
process. Each nephron has two major parts which
are Vascular part (Glomerulus) and Tubular part
• Tubular part is composed of
– Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)
– Loop of Henle (LH)
– Distal Convoluted tubule (DCT)
– Collecting Tubules (CT)
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Types of Nephrons
Cortical Juxtamedullary

80% in Number 20% in Number

Located in the outer Located in the Inner part of

part of Cortex Cortex

Have Shorter Loop of Henle Have Longer Loop of Henle

Have Peritubular Capillary Have Vasa recta around

Network around them them

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Glomerulus

• Glomerular filtrate is
protein free plasma
which is filtered across
glomerular capillary
membrane in a unit
time.

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Structure of Glumerular Capillary Membrane

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Structure of Glumerular Capillary
Membrane…
• Substances having diameter more than 8nm can not
pass.
• Permeability of Glomerular membrane is 100 times
greater than that of systemic capillaries because their
capillary hydrostatic pressure and Kf is more.

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Histological Structure of the Tubules

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General Functions of Tubules

• In the PCT there is uncontrolled re-absorption or

secretion of substances.
• LH establishes vertical osmotic gradient in the renal
medulla to enable the kidneys to produce urine of
varying concentration.
• DCT and CT provide controlled (hormonal) re-
absorption of Na+ and water and controlled secretion
of K+ and H+.

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Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
• It is the amount of plasma which is filtered in glomeruli of
both the kidneys per minute.
• Glomerular filtrate is the result of three passive physical
forces of the body.
– Glomerular Capillary Hydrostatic Pressure (60 mmHg)
– Glomerular Capillary Osmotic Pressure (32 mmHg)
– Bowman’s Capsule Hydrostatic Pressure (18 mmHg)
• Net filtration pressure = 60 – (32 + 18) = 10 mmHg
• As compared to other capillaries glomerular filtrate is
formed through out the length of a capillary.
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Determinants of GFR
• GFR = Kf * Net Filtration Pressure
• In the past it was considered that filtration coefficient (Kf )
remains constant and changes only under pathological
states like uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and
hypertension in which thickness of this membrane is
increased.

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Determinants of GFR…

• Recent view is that mesangial cells in between

Glumerular capillaries and podocytes have actin
filaments which when contract or relax Kf is changed
and hence GFR.
• Kf is the product of Surface Area and Permeability of
the membrane

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Net Filtration Pressure

• It is affected by
– Glomerular Capillary Hydrostatic pressure
– Glomerular Capillary Osmotic pressure
– Bowman’s Capsule Hydrostatic pressure
• The first one is responsible for spontaneous and day to
day regulation of GFR where as last two factors are
affect the GFR in the pathological states.

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Net Filtration Pressure...

• GCO pressure is decreased in nephrotic syndrome

and severe burns.
• BCH pressure is increased by a renal stone and
enlarged prostate.

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Glomerular Capillary Hydrostatic Pressure

• It is the major outward force which is affected by

– Blood Flow
– Arterial Blood Pressure
– Afferent arteriolar resistance
– Sympathetic activity
– Effect of hormones

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Afferent arteriolar resistance

• It is affected by auto regulation or intrinsic

mechanism aimed at spontaneous regulation of GFR
despite rapid changes in blood pressure.
• Sympathetic stimulation or extrinsic mechanism
aimed at long term regulation of BP.
• Auto regulation is the function of Juxtaglomerular
apparatus.

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Juxtaglomerular Apparatus

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Function of JG Apparatus

• Secretes Renin in response to decrease in ECF volume,

plasma volume, blood pressure and sodium.
• Regulates Renal blood flow and GFR by secreting
vasoactive substances through auto regulation.
• Auto regulation means regulation of GFR despite rapid
changes in BP from 80-180 mmHg.
• There are two mechanisms for auto regulation of GFR
– Myogenic Mechanism
– Tubulo Glomerular feedback mechanism

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Tubulo Glomerular
Feedback Mechanism

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Hormones Affecting GFR

• Nor epinephrine decreases GFR

• Epinephrine decreases GFR
• Endothelin decreases GFR
• Angiotensin-2 prevents decrease in GFR
• Endothelial derived Nitric Oxide increases GFR
• Prostaglandins increase GFR

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Formation of Urine

• Urine is formed by three processes

– Filtration
– Reabsorption
– Secretion

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Re-absorption
• It is highly selective and variable for example
– 100% of filtered glucose
– 99.5% of filtered Salt
– 99% of filtered water
– 50% of filtered urea
• Tubular reabsorption involves trans epithelial
transport in which there are 5 steps.

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Re-absorption…

• Re-absorption may be passive or active.

• In Passive Transport no ATP is involved and it occurs
down the electro chemical gradient or Osmotic
gradient.
• In Active Transport ATP is involved may be in 1 out
of 5 steps. It occurs against the concentration
gradient.
• Among the substances which are actively re-
absorbed include glucose, amino acids and other
organic nutrients. In addition Na+ and other
electrolytes like PO43-.

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Re-absorption of Sodium Ions
• It is absorbed by active process occurring at
basolateral surfaces of Tubular Epithelial Cells.
• 80% of the energy required for kidney is utilized for Na+
transport.
• 67% Na+ is reabsorbed through PCT which is important
for re-absorption of glucose, AA, water, Chloride ions
and urea.
• 25% Na+ is re-absorbed through LH which along with
chloride ions re-absorption provides vertical osmotic
gradient.

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Re-absorption of Sodium Ions…
• 8% Na+ is reabsorbed through distal tubules which is
controlled by Aldosterone hormone and ANP.
• Aldosterone is secreted from Adrenal Cortex through
Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone mechanism when there
is decrease in sodium level or there is decrease in ECF
volume or plasma volume or blood pressure.
• Aldosterone secretion is also released if there is excess
of potassium ions in the plasma.
• Aldosterone increases re-absorption of Salt and Water
through Distal Tubules hence increases extra cellular
fluid volume and pressure.
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Release of Renin

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Re-absorption of Sodium Ions…

• In the complete absence of aldosterone 20 grams of

the salt may be lost in the urine per day.
• With maximum aldosterone secretion all filtered salt
will be re-absorbed.
• In spite of wide variations in the intake of salt or its
loss the system maintains normal sodium chloride
concentration in the plasma.
• Some cases of hypertension are due to abnormal
increase in Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone activity

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Re-absorption of Sodium Ions…
• This system is also responsible for fluid retention and
edema accompanying congestive heart failure in which
CO and BP is decreased in spite of normal or increased
plasma volume.

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Treatment of CHF

• Low salt diet

• Use of diuretics which are therapeutic agents to
cause diuresis and help to reduce excess ECF
volume.
• ACE inhibitors can be useful in CHF and some cases
of hypertension.

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ANP and its Action

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Re-absorption of Glucose & Amino Acids

• Glucose and AA are reabsorbed by secondary active

transport through PCT.
• With the exception of sodium ions active re-absorption of
substances exhibits tubular transport maximum (Tm)
because carrier protein is specific for each substance and
is a rate limiting factor.

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Tm of Glucose
• Normal plasma concentration of Glucose is 100 mg per
100ml.
• It is freely filtered in the Bowman’s capsule in the same
concentration as in plasma.
• As GFR is 125 ml / min so filtered load of glucose will be
125mg / min.
• If plasma concentration is 200 mg the filtered load of
glucose will be 250 mg / min.
• Tm of glucose is 375 mg / min(males) &
300mg/min(females)
• Renal threshold of glucose is 200 mg / 100 ml

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Tm of Glucose…

• Renal threshold is the plasma concentration of a

substance at which Tm of a substance is reached
and the substance first starts spilling in the urine.
• Example If plasma concentration of glucose is 400
mg / 100 ml the filtered load will be 500 mg / min. As
Tm is 375 mg / min, 125 mg/min glucose will be lost
in the urine.

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Urinary System-II

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Calcium and Phosphate Re-absorption

• Kidneys directly contribute to the regulation of plasma

concentration of Calcium and Phosphate because renal
threshold of these inorganic ions is equal to their normal
plasma concentration.
• Generally our diet is rich in phosphate ions so excess of
these ions are excreted in the urine.
• Re-absorption of calcium and phosphate is also
regulated by Parathyroid Hormone which can alter
renal threshold of calcium and phosphate depending on
the momentary needs of the body.

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Re-absorption of Chloride Ions

• Chloride ions are re-absorbed passively secondary to

active re-absorption of sodium ions.

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Re-absorption of Water
• Obligatory Water Re-absorption
– It is uncontrolled, but constant 65% re-absorption
of water from PCT and 15% from descending limb
of Loop of Henle by osmosis after re-absorption of
salt.
• Facultative Water Re-absorption
– It is Hormone controlled variable re-absorption
(20%) from Distal Tubules and Collecting Tubules.
– Vasopressin Hormone is responsible for this re-
absorption which opens water channels at the
luminal surface of Renal Tubular cells.
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Urea Re-absorption
• 50% of filtered load of urea is reabsorbed in the terminal
part of PCT by the process of osmosis.
• In the early part of collecting ducts only water is
re-absorbed under the effect of vasopressin.
• In the distal half of CD urea is concentrated and in
presence of vasopressin is re-absorbed into interstitium
by osmosis where it contributes to medullary
hyperosmolarity.
• Uremia means increase in blood urea level.
• In renal failure BUN is estimated to assess renal
function.

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Hydrogen Ions Secretion

• Hydrogen ions are secreted by secondary active

transport in the PCT.
• They are secreted by primary active transport in the
DT and CT according to hydrogen ion status of the
body.

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Potassium Ions Re-absorption & Secretion

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Potassium Ions Re-absorption & Secretion…

• 67% Potassium ions are re-absorbed actively from

PCT in uncontrolled manner.
• In the DCT and CT potassium ions are secreted by
primary active transport at basolateral surface under
the affect of Aldosterone.
• Normally 10-15% of filtered load of potassium ions are
excreted in the urine.
• Normally K+ are secreted more than H+ but in acidosis
more H+ are secrete and more K+ are retained.

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Dual Control of Aldosterone Secretion

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Effects of Plasma K+ Ions Concentration

• Hyperkalemia causes hypopolarization change in the

membranes hence increasing excitability especially in
the cardiac muscle leading to increased heart rate and
fatal arrhythmias
• Hypokalemia leads to hyperpolarization and
decreased excitability in the nerve and muscle cell
membranes manifested as muscular weakness,
distention of abdomen due to smooth muscle
dysfunction, arrhythmias and decreased impulse
conduction.

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 Plasma Clearance
• Plasma clearance of a substance is the volume of the
plasma that is completely cleared of that substance by the
kidneys per minute. It can be calculated by following
formula
Clearance Rate of a Substance in ml/min =
(Concentration of the substance in urine mg/ml * Urine flow rate ml/min)
Plasma concentration of that substance g/ml
• It is different for different substances.
• If a substance is filtered but not re-absorbed or secreted
then its clearance rate is equal to GFR.

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Inulin Clearance

• It is harmless foreign carbohydrate which is filtered

freely but it is neither re-absorbed nor secreted so its
clearance is used to measure GFR.
• Its normal value is 125 ml/min
• Although this method is accurate and straight forward
but it is not convenient to infuse it continuously
through out the determination to maintain constant
plasma concentration.

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Creatinine Clearance

• Clinically plasma clearance of an endogenous

substance like creatinine is used to calculate GFR.
• Creatinine is end product of muscle metabolism
produces at relatively constant rate.
• It is freely filtered, not reabsorbed but slightly
secreted so its clearance is slightly more than the
normal.

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Urea Clearance

• It a substance is freely filtered and reabsorbed but

not secreted then its clearance rate will be less than
normal.
• Glucose Clearance is zero which means all filtered
load of glucose is re-absorbed.
• Urea clearance is 62.5 ml/min because 50% of
filtered laod of urea is re-absorbed

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PAH Clearance

• PAH is a foreign substance which is filtered and

completely secreted by peritubular capillary network
into the tubules but it is not re-absorbed.
• PAH clearance is used to measure renal plasma flow.
• Its clearance is 625 ml/min which is equal to renal
plasma flow.
• If we know inulin clearance and PAH clearance then
we can calculate filtration fraction.
• FF = GFR/RPF = 20%

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Renal handling of Plasma Water

• ECF osmolarity depends upon relative amount of solute

to water.
• Isotonic: Normally body fluids are said to be isotonic if
they have osmolarity of 300 mOsm/L.
• Hypertonic: If osmolarity > 300 mOsm/L
• Hypotonic: If osmolarity < 300 mOsm/L
• When the body is in ideal fluid balance then 1 ml/min of
isotonic urine is produced.

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Renal handling of Plasma Water…

• When the body is over hydrated large volume of

dilute urine is excreted (upto 25 ml/min having
osmolarity of 100 mOsm / L) is produced.
• When the body is dehydrated less volume of
concentrated urine is passed (0.3 ml/min having
osmolarity of 1200 mOsm/L)

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Mechanism of Dilution of Urine

• When the body is over hydrated and osmolarity of the

body fluids is less than normal then vasopressin
hormone will not be secreted.
• Dilute urine having osmolarity of 100 mOsm/L is
passed

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Mechanism of Dilution of Urine..

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Mechanism of Concentration of Urine

• When the body is in a dehydrated state that is

osmolarity of the body fluids is more than normal then
small amount of concentrated urine is passed
(1200 mOsm/L)
• For concentration of the urine it is essential that first
of all hyperosmolarity of renal medullary interstitial is
produced and then maintained.

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Production of Hyper Osmolarity

• It is produced by following three factors

– Counter current multiplier system of Loop of Henle
– Secretion of Vasopressin
– Urea recycling
• It is maintained by counter current exchange
mechanism of vasa recta.

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Counter Current Multiplier System

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Vasopressin Mechanism

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Vasopressin Mechanism…

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Vasopressin Mechanism…

• Without vasopressin counter current multiplier system

is useless and without osmotic gradient vasopressin
mechanism is useless so the presence of both is
essential to produce concentrated urine.
• When aldosterone is secreted salt is re-absorbed,
this increases osmolarity which then causes secretion
of vasopressin also to re-absorb water from DT.

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Urea Recycling

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Counter Current Exchange Mechanism

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Water Diuresis

• Increased urinary output of water with little or no salt.

– Too much ingestion of water
– Alcohol ingestion: because it inhibits vasopressin
secretion. Typically more fluid is lost in urine than
consumed in alcoholic beverages so body becomes
dehydrated in spite of substantial fluid intake.

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Osmotic Diuresis

• It is increased urinary output of water and solute

caused by excess unabsorbed solute. For example
presence of glucose in urine in diabetes mellitus .
• Some diuretics cause diuresis because they block
re-absorption of a specific solute from the renal tubules
which is then lost in urine along with water.

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Urinary System-III

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Buffer Systems of the Body

• Chemical Buffers
• Respiratory Buffer
• Renal Buffer System

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H2CO3:HCO-3 Buffer System
• Most important buffer system of ECF for buffering pH
changes.
• It is very effective in ECF for two reasons
– H2CO3 and HCO-3 are abundant in ECF and so
readily available to resist changes in pH.
– Each component of this pair is closely regulated.
• For example kidneys regulate HCO-3 and respiratory
system regulates CO2 which generates- H2CO3 .

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H2CO3:HCO-3 Buffer System…
• When H+ are added from Lactic Acid during exercise into
ECF then H2CO3:HCO-3 buffer system, buffers it by
forming H2CO3 (weak acid).
• When OH- are added in the system by loosing HCl
during vomiting, then water and bicarbonate are formed.
• OH-+ H2CO3 HCO-3 + H2O

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H2CO3:HCO-3 Buffer System…

• The relationship between hydrogen ion concentration

and members of a buffer pair can be expressed
according to Henderson Hasselbalch equation which
for bicarbonate buffer system is as follows:
pH = pK + log [HCO-3] / [H2CO3]
• The pK H2CO3 is always 6.1.
• Normally [ HCO-3 ] : [CO2] =20 : 1
• pH = 6.1 + log [20/1] = 6.1 + 1.3 = 7.4

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H2CO3:HCO-3 Buffer System…

• When this ratio is increased pH is increased.

• The ratio can be increased either by increasing
bicarbonate ions conc. or by decreasing CO2.
• As bicarbonate ions conc. is regulated by kidneys and
CO2 conc by lungs. Both these organs can correct
changes in pH but can also induce changes in pH.

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The protein Buffer System

• As proteins are plentiful in the ICF so it acts as a

primary buffer system for ICF.
• Proteins are excellent buffers because they contain
both acidic and basic groups that can give up or take
up H+.

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The Hemoglobin Buffer System

• This system buffers H+ generated from H2CO3 of CO2

origin as follows:
• From the tissues CO2 enters into the blood from where it
enters into RBC’s. Inside RBC’s CO2 combines with
water to form corbonic acid in presence of an enzyme
carbonic anhydrase.
• Now carbonic acid dissociates to form H+ and HCO-3.
and H+ are buffered by combining with Hb to form HHb.

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The Hemoglobin Buffer System…

• At the level of lungs HHb combines with oxygen and

HbO2 and H+ are formed. Now HCO-3 enter from
plasma into RBC’s. Inside RBC’s, H+ combine with
HCO-3 to form H2CO3 .
• Next H2CO3 dissociates to form CO2 and water.
• CO2 is expelled out of the lungs.

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Phosphate Buffer System
• It is important urinary buffer system composed of
NaH2PO4 : Na2HPO4 .
• If H+ are added then these are buffered by forming
NaH2PO4.
• Its concentration is low in ECF but rich in ICF.
• Humans normally consume more phosphates than
needed so excess amount of phosphates is excreted in
the urine where it buffers H+ secreted by renal tubules.
• Most or all of HCO-3 and CO2 filtered or re-absorbed
where as Hb and proteins are not even filtered.

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Respiratory Buffer System

• It is called physical buffer system.

• It is slow and acts as second line of defense against
pH changes.
• Its action starts after few minutes.
• When there is metabolic acidosis respiratory rate is
increased to get rid of more acids in the form of CO2.
• When there is metabolic alkalosis respiratory rate is
decreased so that CO2 accumulates in the body.
• This system alone can return the pH to only 50-70% of
the way towards normal.
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Renal Buffer System
• Kidneys are third line of defense.
• It requires hours or days to compensate for the changes
in pH.
• They are most potent pH regulators.
• Not only H+ are secreted by kidney in variable amounts
but HCO-3 are also conserved or eliminated depending
upon acid-base status of the body.
• If there is acidosis more acidic urine is passed.
• If there is alkalosis then basic urine is passed.
• It means during acidosis, H+ secretion is increased and
HCO-3 re-absorption is increased.
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Renal Buffer System…

• During renal compensation for acidosis for each H+

excretion in urine, a new HCO-3 is added to plasma.
• Kidneys remove H+ derived from non carbonic acid
source.
• Urine is usually acidic having pH 6.0.
• The H+ which are secreted are not passed in the urine as
free H+. First they are buffered with HCO-3,,phosphates
and ammonia.

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Acid Base Imbalance
• It can arise either by respiratory dysfunction or
metabolic dysfunction so there may be respiratory
acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis or
metabolic alkalosis.

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Causes of Respiratory Acidosis

• It occurs due to hypo ventilation caused by

– Destruction of respiratory center
– Respiratory Tract Obstruction
– Pneumonia
– Decreased Respiratory Gasses Exchange

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Causes of Respiratory Alkalosis

• It occurs due to hyper ventilation caused by

– High Altitude
– Psychoneurosis
• Treatment Kidney compensates for respiratory
acidosis and alkalosis.

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Causes of Metabolic Acidosis
• Ingestion or production of more acids.
• Less excretion of acids by kidneys.
• Causes include:
– Diarrhea
– Vomiting
– Renal Failure
– Diabetes Mallitus
• It is characterized by:
– Hyperventilation as compensatory mechanism
– Decreased HCO-3 in the ECF
• Treatment:
– Ingestion of Sodium Bicarbonate ,
– Sodium Lactate or Gluconate drip
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Causes of Metabolic Alkalosis

• Increased ingestion of alkalies

• Loss of Cl- by vomiting during pyloric stenosis
• Alkalosis caused by use of diuretics (except CA inhibiters)
• Increased Aldosternoe secretion.
• This condition may be characterized by hyper excitibility
leading to tetany.
• Treatment:
– Ingestion of Ammonium Chloride

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