Renal System

Abstract

The kidneys are the major excretory organs of the body. They excrete the organic wastes urea, uric acid and creatinine. They regulate the volume of blood (and hence blood pressure) by increasing or decreasing the volume of urine produced to match the body’s requirement for water. They help regulate blood pH by excreting hydronium ions and by reabsorbing and producing bicarbonate ions. They maintain blood osmolarity at ~290 mosml/L and individual ions (electrolytes) at their healthy concentrations. The kidneys produce the enzyme renin, the hormone erythropoietin and the “vitamin” calcitriol. In turn the physiological functions of the kidney are influenced by ADH, aldosterone, parathyroid hormone, ANP, BNP and angiotensin II.