Copyright O McGraw-HI Education. Permission required for reproduction or display Blood flow Renal Capillary- cortex Tissue fluid 300 475 Outer renal medulla 350 425 625 575 775 725 925 1,075 Inner renal medulla 1,025 1,200 Diffusion of NaCl and urea Osmosis of water

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
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Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
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Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
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**Educational Explanation of the Counter Current Exchange Mechanism in the Vasa Recta**

In the process of counter current exchange, as established by the vasa recta, the mechanism ensures the efficient exchange of solutes and water between the blood and the surrounding tissue fluid in the kidneys, maintaining a concentration gradient that facilitates reabsorption and secretion.

**Diagram Explanation:**
The provided diagram illustrates a U-shaped structure representing the vasa recta, with two distinct sections labeled for different processes:

1. **Blood Flow Direction:**
   - **Descending Limb (left side):** Blood flows downward with solute concentrations increasing from 300 to 1,025 mOsm.
   - **Ascending Limb (right side):** Blood flows upward, with solute concentrations decreasing from 1,200 to 475 mOsm.

2. **Concentration Gradient:**
   - The outer renal medulla and inner renal medulla are marked alongside the vasa recta.
   - As blood descends, it gains salts and urea by diffusion (indicated by solid arrows).
   - In the ascending limb, salt and urea diffuse out while osmosis of water occurs inward (indicated by dashed arrows).

3. **Processes:**
   - **Diffusion of NaCl and Urea:** Solid arrows on the diagram show the movement of these solutes in and out of the blood depending on the concentration gradient.
   - **Osmosis of Water:** Dashed arrows indicate the osmotic flow of water between the blood and surrounding tissue fluid.

This countercurrent mechanism establishes a hyperosmotic environment in the renal medulla, crucial for water reabsorption and urine concentration, thus playing a vital role in maintaining the body's fluid balance.
Transcribed Image Text:**Educational Explanation of the Counter Current Exchange Mechanism in the Vasa Recta** In the process of counter current exchange, as established by the vasa recta, the mechanism ensures the efficient exchange of solutes and water between the blood and the surrounding tissue fluid in the kidneys, maintaining a concentration gradient that facilitates reabsorption and secretion. **Diagram Explanation:** The provided diagram illustrates a U-shaped structure representing the vasa recta, with two distinct sections labeled for different processes: 1. **Blood Flow Direction:** - **Descending Limb (left side):** Blood flows downward with solute concentrations increasing from 300 to 1,025 mOsm. - **Ascending Limb (right side):** Blood flows upward, with solute concentrations decreasing from 1,200 to 475 mOsm. 2. **Concentration Gradient:** - The outer renal medulla and inner renal medulla are marked alongside the vasa recta. - As blood descends, it gains salts and urea by diffusion (indicated by solid arrows). - In the ascending limb, salt and urea diffuse out while osmosis of water occurs inward (indicated by dashed arrows). 3. **Processes:** - **Diffusion of NaCl and Urea:** Solid arrows on the diagram show the movement of these solutes in and out of the blood depending on the concentration gradient. - **Osmosis of Water:** Dashed arrows indicate the osmotic flow of water between the blood and surrounding tissue fluid. This countercurrent mechanism establishes a hyperosmotic environment in the renal medulla, crucial for water reabsorption and urine concentration, thus playing a vital role in maintaining the body's fluid balance.
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