Renal circulation

Renal Circulation refers to the movement of blood from the body organs through the kidneys. This process is crucial for the filtration of blood, removal of waste substances, and reabsorption of water, glucose, and amino acids. The renal circulation receives around 20% of the cardiac output, making it one of the most profuse organ systems in terms of blood supply.

Anatomy of Renal Circulation

The renal circulation system begins at the renal artery, a branch of the abdominal aorta. The renal artery enters the kidney at the hilum, dividing into segmental arteries. These further divide into interlobar arteries, arcuate arteries, and finally, interlobular arteries. The interlobular arteries give rise to the afferent arterioles, which lead to the glomerulus, a network of capillaries responsible for the initial filtration of blood.

The blood then leaves the glomerulus via the efferent arterioles, which divide into the peritubular capillaries and vasa recta. These capillaries surround the renal tubules, allowing for the exchange of substances between the blood and the tubular fluid. The blood is then collected by the interlobular veins, which merge to form the arcuate veins, interlobar veins, and finally, the renal vein, which exits the kidney at the hilum and drains into the inferior vena cava.

Function of Renal Circulation

The primary function of renal circulation is to regulate the volume and composition of body fluids. This is achieved through three main processes: filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.

1. Filtration: This is the process by which blood is filtered in the glomerulus to remove waste substances. The filtrate, which includes water, glucose, amino acids, and urea, then enters the renal tubules.
2. Reabsorption: This is the process by which useful substances in the filtrate, such as water, glucose, and amino acids, are reabsorbed back into the blood in the peritubular capillaries.
3. Secretion: This is the process by which additional waste substances are secreted from the blood in the peritubular capillaries into the tubular fluid.

Disorders of Renal Circulation

Disorders of renal circulation can lead to kidney diseases, such as renal artery stenosis, renal vein thrombosis, and renal hypertension. These conditions can result in reduced blood flow to the kidneys, leading to decreased kidney function and, in severe cases, kidney failure.

See Also

• Kidney
• Renal artery
• Renal vein
• Glomerulus
• Renal tubules
• Renal artery stenosis
• Renal vein thrombosis
• Renal hypertension

References

Renal circulation Resources
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