Mathematical biosciences
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Mathematical biosciences · Oct 2005
Role of structural organization in the urine concentrating mechanism of an avian kidney.
The organization of tubules and blood vessels in the quail medullary cone is highly structured. This structural organization may result in preferential interactions among tubules and vessels, interactions that may enhance urine concentrating capability. ⋯ The model equations are based on standard expressions for transmural transport and on solute and water conservation. Model results suggest that the preferential interactions among tubules enhance the urine concentration capacity of short medullary cones by reducing the diluting effect of the descending limbs on the region of the interstitium where the collecting ducts are located; however, the effects on longer cones are unclear.