ABSTRACT
To fulfill these functions, the kidney processes blood — or more accurately, plasma water — which in turn exchanges water and solutes with the extravascular water compartments: extracellular, intracellular, and transcellular. The solute concentrations in body fluids vary from site to site, yet all compartments are maintained remarkably constant in volume and composition despite internal and external stresses. The global outcome of normal renal function is a net removal of water, electrolyte, and soluble waste products
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from the blood stream. The kidney provides the major regulatory mechanisms for the control of volume, osmolality, and electrolyte and nonelectrolyte composition as well as pH of the body fluids and tissues.
