The Pathogenesis of Renal Insufficiency

Abstract

IN POPULAR usage, the expression "renal insufficiency" has come simply to mean renal failure to maintain chemical homeostasis. In a restricted sense, however, there may be many renal insufficiencies. The acid–base balance may be maintained, while nitrogen accumulates in the blood, and conversely, nitrogen excretion may be unaltered when acidosis and dehydration result from urinary loss of water and electrolytes. Water reabsorption, nitrogen excretion or sodium conservation may each be affected individually, but in most disorders of renal function and structure, renal dysfunctions and their sequelae are multiple. The discussion that follows is devoted to a consideration of the pathologic . . .