Renal Tubular Acidosis

Renal Tubular Acidosis (pronunciation: ree-nuhl too-byuh-lur uh-see-duh-sis) is a medical condition that involves an accumulation of acid in the body due to a failure of the kidneys to appropriately acidify the urine. When the body performs normal metabolic processes, it produces acid. If this acid is not removed or neutralized, the body's pH will decrease and can become life-threatening.

Etymology

The term "Renal Tubular Acidosis" is derived from the Latin word renalis meaning "of the kidneys", tubulus meaning "a small tube", and the Greek word acidus meaning "sour or tart".

Types of Renal Tubular Acidosis

There are three main types of Renal Tubular Acidosis: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 4.

• Type 1 Renal Tubular Acidosis or Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis: This is the classical form of RTA, characterized by a failure of acid secretion by the alpha intercalated cells of the cortical collecting duct of the distal nephron. This failure leads to a decrease in the body's pH (acidemia).

• Type 2 Renal Tubular Acidosis or Proximal Renal Tubular Acidosis: This type is characterized by a failure of the proximal tubular cells to reabsorb filtered bicarbonate from the urine, leading to urinary bicarbonate wasting and subsequent acidemia.

• Type 4 Renal Tubular Acidosis: This type is characterized by a decrease in the production and/or effectiveness of aldosterone, leading to a decrease in the elimination of potassium from the body and a decrease in the reabsorption of sodium. This can lead to hyperkalemia and mild acidemia.

Related Terms

• Acidemia
• Hyperkalemia
• Metabolic Acidosis
• Nephron
• Aldosterone

See Also

• Kidney Disease
• Metabolic Disorder
• Endocrine System

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