Weird body facts Hiccups occur when a spasm contracts the diaphragm, causing an intake of breath that is suddenly stopped by the closure of the vocal cords (glottis). Increasing the level of carbon dioxide in the blood usually stops hiccups.

The Kidney - the most important organ in our body (not the appendix, although this is widely believed)! Structure & Function

What is the main function of the kidney? The average body contains about 42 L of water. In one day, the kidneys filter 180 L of water and only L appear in the urine. The kidney plays a vital role in –Extracellular fluid (ECF) regulation (remove wastes like ammonia -> urea) –Acid-base balance –ECF osmolality ([ion] in fluid) and volume –Hormone production -> Vitamin D and Erythropoietin (RBC production)

Location and structure of the kidney

A good webpage

Another interesting fact The human body makes anywhere from 1 to 3 pints of saliva every 24 hours.

The Nephron Nephron structure video Nephron function video

Kidney Structure & Function The kidneys have three basic mechanisms for separating the various components of the blood: –filtration, reabsorption, and secretion. The structure of the kidney is such that it allows for this function Interactive video

Structure and Function of the Nephron pp Your task: –Your group will be responsible for one area of the nephron –You will need to illustrate its structure and outline its function. Explain its function in all aspects of renal physiology: water and electrolyte balance, hormone production, pH balance, etc. –You will also address one disorder that is related to your structure and will describe how the disorder affects your structure

Nephron StructureGroup Responsible Glomerulus Proximal tubule Descending Limb of loop of Henle Ascending limb of loop of Henle Distal tubule Collecting Duct