The Kidney ata Glance SET ELEAbout the Ata Glance series ‘The series contains a distillation of wisdom and teaching put together by experts with the help of student and academic reviewers, The reviews are carried out at wo different stages, (0 help guide the authors to what can be edited out and what needs better explanation. The focus is what is required by students to pass their exams, but essential background information is included to facilitate understanding (rather than rote learning). ‘This book is part ofthe best-selling Ara Glance series, which, hhas become famous for its attractive layout, concise text and clear conceptual diagrams. We welcome feedback, so please write tous with your comments, Our address is: Medical Exitorial Department, Blackwell Science Ltd, Osney Mead, (Oxford 0X2 OEL, UK. Alternatively, you can email us at authors @blacksei.co.uk.The Kidney at a Glance C.A. O°CALLAGHAN BA, BM, BCh, MA, MRCP(UK), DPhil MRC Clinician Scientist Institute of Molecular Medicine Nuffield Department of Medicine University of Oxford John Radcliffe Hospital Oxford UK B.M. BRENNER BS, MD, DM (Hon), DSc (Hon), FRCP Samuel A. Levine Professor of Medicine Havard Medical School and Director Emeritus, Renal Division Brigham & Women's Hospital Boston, MA USA b Blackwell Selence