Physiology of kidney

reabsorption, secretion
Pavlina Buckova M.D.
10/2013

Tubular secretion
Tubular secretion is the movement of
material from the peritubular capillaries
and interstitial space into the nephron
tubules

Depends mainly on transport systems

Enables further removal of unwanted
substances
Occurs mostly by secondary active transport
If something is filtered, not reabsorbed, and
secreted the clearance rate from plasma is
greater than GFR!

PROXIMAL TUBULUS

 By end of proximal tubule have

reabsorbed:
60- 70% of water and sodium
about 100% of glucose and amino acids
90 % of K+, bicarb, Ca++, uric acid

HENLE LOOP
Responsible for producing a concentrated
urine by forming a concentration gradient
within the medulla of kidney.
Counter-current multiplier
Vasa Recta - Counter Current exchanger

Counter-current mechanism

DISTAL CONVOLUTED TUBULE AND

COLLECTING DUCTS
Aldosterone affects Na+ and K+
ADH facultative water reabsorption
Parathyroid hormone increases Ca++
reabsorption
Tubular secretion to rid of substances:
K+, H+, urea, ammonia, creatinine and
certain drugs
Secretion of H+ helps maintain blood pH
(can also reabsorb bicarb and generate
new bicarb)

Urine concentration
urine normally exits the nephron in a
dilute state
under hormonal controls, water
reabsorption occurs and can create an
extremely concentrated urin
aldosterone & ADH are hormones that
drive this water reabsorption
ALDOSTERONE creates an obligatory response

Aldosterone increases Na+/K+ ATPase activity and

therefore reabsorption of Na+
where Na+ goes, water is obliged to follow

ADH creates a facultative response

Opens up water channels in the collecting duct,

allowing for the reabsorption of water via osmosis

 Where does reabsorbed material go?

Into peritubular capillaries because in the
capillaries there exist
Low hydrostatic pressure
Higher colloid osmotic pressure

THANK YOU