Abstract
Most mammals are capable of producing urine having an osmolality that is greater than that of plasma. Production of this concentrated urine is one of the chief mechanisms by which the kidney maintains salt and water balance. Many underlying principles of fluid and solute transport in nephrons and blood vessels are understood to some extent; but how fluid and solute movements throughout the renal medulla are integrated into a unified mechanism for concentrating urine remains poorly understood. During the past two decades we have made important advances in understanding medullary architecture, tubular structure and membrane transporters associated with transepithelial solute and water fluxes within the medulla. These advances have led to identification of significant functional interactions between tubules and interstitium. Defects in expression and function of a number of the medullary membrane transporters are known to underlie several human disorders associated with Na and water imbalance and have provided new insights into the urine concentrating mechanism.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
