Monday, December 29, 2008

Term of the Day

Glomerular Filtration: The first step in the process of urine formation. Due to the relatively high hydrostatic pressure in the glomerular capillaries, a filtrate of blood plasma is forced out of the capillaries into Bowman's capsule. Electrolytes and small molecules enter the filtrate, but large molecules and cells do not (at least in the healthy kidney).
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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 30, 2008 at 1:00 PM

    What are the factors contributing to net filtration pressure?

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  2. Dinsdale1963December 30, 2008 at 1:07 PM

    The net filtration pressure (NFP) is the result of several factors. Glomerular hydrostatic pressure (60 mmHg) is the main force pushing water and solutes out of the blood across the filtration membrane. This outward force is opposed by a) glomerular osmotic pressure (roughly 28 mmHg) and b) capsular hydrostatic pressure (roughly 15 mmHg). This results in a NFP of approximately 17 mmHg.

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