Anaesthesia & intensive care medicine
Volume 10, Issue 6 , Pages 265-270, June 2009

The function of the nephron and the formation of urine

Stephen Kardasz MB ChB FRCP (Lond) is a Consultant Nephrologist at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK. He qualified from Manchester University in 1990, and trained in general medicine and nephrology in Manchester, Leicester and Glasgow, UK. He has special clinical interest in pre-dialysis care, renal failure in critical care and obstetric nephrology. Conflicts of interest: none declared

Abstract 

The prime function of the kidney is to excrete nitrogenous waste products of metabolism while conserving nutrients and maintaining salt and water homeostasis. The basic functional unit of the kidney is the nephron. This article explains the purpose of each portion of the nephron and the transport systems and hormones involved in the normal function of the nephron in the formation of urine. The article includes a discussion of commonly used drugs that affect nephron function.

Keywords: concentration, filtration, nephron, reabsorption, tubule

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PII: S1472-0299(09)00061-7

doi:10.1016/j.mpaic.2009.03.003

Anaesthesia & intensive care medicine
Volume 10, Issue 6 , Pages 265-270, June 2009

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