Nephron: The functional unit of the kidney, comprising the renal corpuscle, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, and distal convoluted tubule.
Each kidney contains about 1 million nephrons, which produce the primary and final urine.
1. Which structures together make up a nephron, the functional unit of the kidney?
2. A nephron has a short loop of Henle that barely enters the medulla. Which type of nephron is it?
3. Which arrangement describes the glomerular filtration barrier?
How many nephrons does each kidney contain?
About 1 million.
What structures form the glomerular filtration barrier?
Fenestrated endothelial cells, a single basement membrane, and podocyte pedicels forming filtration slits.
What two factors determine passive glomerular filtration?
Filtration membrane permeability and a pressure gradient.
What fraction of cardiac output do both kidneys receive?
About one fifth.
What does GFR assess, and when may it remain normal despite glomerular damage?
Kidney function; it may remain normal until 50% of glomeruli are affected.
What does persistent GFR below 60 mL/min indicate, and what does rapid decline indicate?
Chronic kidney disease; acute kidney injury.
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