Biomaterial Database

Renal medullary circulation. 2012

Thomas L Pallone, and Aurélie Edwards, and David L Mattson

Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

The renal medullary microcirculation is a distinctive arrangement of blood vessels that serve multiple functions in the renal medulla. This article begins with a description of the unique anatomy of this vascular bed and the role it plays in transport and countercurrent exchange in the medulla. A segment of the review is then devoted to the important role mathematical modeling has played in the understanding of this vascular bed's function. Succeeding sections focus upon the hematocrit in the vasa recta capillaries and methods utilized to assess blood flow in the renal medulla. An extensive portion of the article is then devoted to the regulation of the medullary circulation, from ion channel architecture to neurohormonal signaling. Finally, we discuss the importance of the renal medullary circulation in the regulation of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis and arterial blood pressure regulation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007473	Ion Channels	Gated, ion-selective glycoproteins that traverse membranes. The stimulus for ION CHANNEL GATING can be due to a variety of stimuli such as LIGANDS, a TRANSMEMBRANE POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE, mechanical deformation or through INTRACELLULAR SIGNALING PEPTIDES AND PROTEINS.	Membrane Channels,Ion Channel,Ionic Channel,Ionic Channels,Membrane Channel,Channel, Ion,Channel, Ionic,Channel, Membrane,Channels, Ion,Channels, Ionic,Channels, Membrane
D007679	Kidney Medulla	The internal portion of the kidney, consisting of striated conical masses, the renal pyramids, whose bases are adjacent to the cortex and whose apices form prominent papillae projecting into the lumen of the minor calyces.	Kidney Papilla,Kidney Medullas,Kidney Papillas,Medulla, Kidney,Medullas, Kidney,Papilla, Kidney,Papillas, Kidney
D008833	Microcirculation	The circulation of the BLOOD through the MICROVASCULAR NETWORK.	Microvascular Blood Flow,Microvascular Circulation,Blood Flow, Microvascular,Circulation, Microvascular,Flow, Microvascular Blood,Microvascular Blood Flows,Microvascular Circulations
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D008955	Models, Cardiovascular	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of the cardiovascular system, processes, or phenomena; includes the use of mathematical equations, computers and other electronic equipment.	Cardiovascular Model,Cardiovascular Models,Model, Cardiovascular
D009318	Natriuresis	Sodium excretion by URINATION.	Natriureses
D012079	Renal Circulation	The circulation of the BLOOD through the vessels of the KIDNEY.	Kidney Circulation,Renal Blood Flow,Circulation, Kidney,Circulation, Renal,Blood Flow, Renal,Flow, Renal Blood
D003950	Diagnostic Techniques, Urological	Methods and procedures for the diagnosis of diseases or dysfunction of the urinary tract or its organs or demonstration of its physiological processes.	Diagnostic Technic, Urological,Diagnostic Technics, Urologic,Diagnostic Technics, Urological,Diagnostic Technique, Urological,Diagnostic Techniques, Urologic,Technic, Urological Diagnostic,Technics, Urological Diagnostic,Technique, Urological Diagnostic,Techniques, Urological Diagnostic,Urological Diagnostic Technic,Urological Diagnostic Technics,Urological Diagnostic Technique,Urological Diagnostic Techniques,Diagnostic Technic, Urologic,Diagnostic Technique, Urologic,Technic, Urologic Diagnostic,Technics, Urologic Diagnostic,Technique, Urologic Diagnostic,Techniques, Urologic Diagnostic,Urologic Diagnostic Technic,Urologic Diagnostic Technics,Urologic Diagnostic Technique,Urologic Diagnostic Techniques
D006400	Hematocrit	The volume of packed RED BLOOD CELLS in a blood specimen. The volume is measured by centrifugation in a tube with graduated markings, or with automated blood cell counters. It is an indicator of erythrocyte status in disease. For example, ANEMIA shows a low value; POLYCYTHEMIA, a high value.	Erythrocyte Volume, Packed,Packed Red-Cell Volume,Erythrocyte Volumes, Packed,Hematocrits,Packed Erythrocyte Volume,Packed Erythrocyte Volumes,Packed Red Cell Volume,Packed Red-Cell Volumes,Red-Cell Volume, Packed,Red-Cell Volumes, Packed,Volume, Packed Erythrocyte,Volume, Packed Red-Cell,Volumes, Packed Erythrocyte,Volumes, Packed Red-Cell
D006706	Homeostasis	The processes whereby the internal environment of an organism tends to remain balanced and stable.	Autoregulation