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The Function of the Kidneys

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Human Physiology

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Abstract

The role of the kidneys. The kidneys are responsible for controlling the fluids of the body. They ensure that the extracellular fluid bathing the cells has a constant composition and volume, guaranteeing that the conditions under which the cells operate are as uniform and as nearly optimal as possible. If either water or dissolved substances should be present in excess, the surplus is excreted by way of the kidneys. In case of a water and/or electrolyte deficiency, processes are initiated to minimize further loss without impeding the necessary excretion of metabolic end products.

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Authors
  1. P. Deetjen
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Physiologisches Institut der Universität, Röntgenring 9, D-8700, Würzburg, Germany

    Robert F. Schmidt Ph.D. (Professor Dr. med.) (Professor Dr. med.)

  2. Physiologisches Institut der Universität, Saarstraße 21, D-6500, Mainz, Germany

    Gerhrad Thews

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© 1989 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Deetjen, P. (1989). The Function of the Kidneys. In: Schmidt, R.F., Thews, G. (eds) Human Physiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73831-9_30

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73831-9_30

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-73833-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-73831-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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