GLOMERULAR VASCULAR-RESISTANCE TO BLOOD-FLOW - A BRIEF REVIEW

It is accepted that glomerular vascular resistance to blood flow is re presented by a pressure drop of only a few mm Hg, but the hemodynamic basis for this concept is generally not well known. Our purpose is to review the evidence supporting the low resistance concept and to provi de an explanation based on the fact that the glomerular network consis ts of 20-40 capillary loops placed 'in parallel' which markedly reduce the viscous resistance to flow (analogous to electrical circuits). A low pressure drop in the glomerular capillaries would be significant i n filtration function.