16. Renal Physiology

Frontiers of Biomedical Engineering (BENG 100)

Professor Saltzman introduces the basic concepts of renal physiology. Professor Saltzman first introduces the function and anatomy of the kidney. Special attention is given to the cell types and structural aspect of the nephron, the functional unit of the kidney. Filtration, secretion of toxic waste, and reabsorption of water, ions, and nutrients through the glomerulus and various segments of the nephrons is discussed in detail. Finally, Professor Saltzman describes glomerular filtration rate as a function of pressure drop, which is regulated by afferent and efferent arterioles, to control how much volume being filtered through glomerulus.

00:00 - Chapter 1. Introduction to Renal Physiology
04:53 - Chapter 2. Structure and Function of Kidneys
15:52 - Chapter 3. Mechanisms of Renal Functions
29:32 - Chapter 4. Process of Renal Filtration
47:11 - Chapter 5. The Role of Pressure in Filtration and Conclusion

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Spring 2008.