The kidney is a remarkable organ charged with a diverse set of responsibilities in maintaining the homeostasis of the body. In mammals, the two kidneys receive approximately 25% of the cardiac output. Not only must the kidney filter this blood in order to excrete metabolic waste, but it must also retrieve those filtered materials that [...]
Renal efferent glomerular arteriolar constriction, mediated by sympathetic stimulation and angiotensin II, helps maintain glomerular filtration in the face of reduced cardiac output and renal blood flow. Higher oncotic and lower hydrostatic pressures develop in the peritubular capillaries, enhancing the reabsorption of tubular fluid and sodium. Angiotensin II - mediated aldosterone release further promotes sodium [...]