Glomerular filtration

Glomerular filtration is a process in the kidneys that filters out excess waste and fluids from the bloodstream. This process is crucial for maintaining the body's overall health and balance.

Overview

The kidney is a vital organ that performs several essential functions, one of which is glomerular filtration. This process involves the filtration of blood in the glomerulus, a network of tiny blood vessels in the kidney. The filtered substances are then excreted from the body in the form of urine.

Process

The process of glomerular filtration involves three steps: filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.

• Filtration: Blood enters the kidney through the renal artery, which branches into smaller and smaller vessels until it reaches the glomerulus. The high pressure in the glomerulus forces water, salts, glucose, and urea out of the blood and into the Bowman's capsule, a part of the nephron. This filtrate then moves into the renal tubule.

• Reabsorption: As the filtrate moves through the renal tubule, most of the water, salts, and glucose are reabsorbed back into the blood. This process is essential for maintaining the body's balance of these substances.

• Secretion: Some substances, such as hydrogen ions and potassium, are actively secreted from the blood into the renal tubule. These substances are then excreted from the body in the urine.

Importance

Glomerular filtration is crucial for maintaining the body's overall health and balance. It helps to regulate the body's balance of water and salts, remove waste products from the bloodstream, and maintain the body's pH balance.

Disorders

Disorders of glomerular filtration can lead to serious health problems. For example, glomerulonephritis is a condition in which the glomeruli become inflamed, reducing their ability to filter the blood. This can lead to kidney failure if not treated promptly. Another disorder, glomerulosclerosis, involves the hardening of the glomeruli, which can also lead to kidney failure.

See also

• Kidney
• Nephron
• Renal physiology
• Glomerulonephritis
• Glomerulosclerosis

Glomerular filtration Resources
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