blood flow through the kidney includes a feature seen in only a few organs. what is it?
LectureNotes said that blood flow through the kidney includes a feature seen in only a few organs. What is it?
Answer:
The unique and remarkable feature found in the blood flow through the kidney, which is seen in only a few organs, is the presence of a secondary capillary bed known as the “vasa recta”. The vasa recta are peritubular capillaries that run parallel to the loop of Henle in the kidney. These specialized capillaries play a crucial role in the reabsorption of water and solutes, helping to maintain the concentration gradient in the medulla of the kidney. The vasa recta also prevent the washout of solutes that have been concentrated in the renal medulla, enabling the kidney to concentrate urine effectively. This unique feature of the kidney distinguishes its blood flow system from that of most other organs in the body.