Anaesthesia Fundamentals | Physiology | Loop of Henle, Distal Tubule and Collecting Tubule

Loop of Henle, Distal Tubule and Collecting Tubule
Session Overview
Description
This session will explain the importance of the interrelated functions of the loop of Henle, distal tubule and collecting tubule in the regulatory functions of the kidney.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Explain the functions of the loop of Henle and the countercurrent mechanism
• Describe how medullary hypertonicity is generated and maintained
• Explain the role of the vasa recta
• Explain how urine concentration is regulated

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should:

• Renal morphology, blood supply and glomerular filtration (001-0654)
• Tubular transport and the proximal tubule (001-0655)

Only mammals and birds are able to produce concentrated urine, i.e. urine that is hypertonic to plasma.

This is made possible by the presence of loops of Henle, which actually dilute tubular fluid, and in doing so produce interstitial hypertonicity.

This in turn enables water abstraction from the collecting ducts. The amount of water abstracted is controlled by antidiuretic hormone (ADH).