Question

What would happen to the urine if the flow in the vasa recta was reversed?

Answer 1

The main function of vasa recta is to produce concentrated urine. The flow in vasa recta is opposite to flow of filtrate in loop of henle. This phenomenon of opposite flow in vasa recta and loop of henle which is responsible for concentration of urine is called counter current mechanism.

Counter current mechanism is responsible for maintaining high osmolarity as we move from cortex to inner medulla. This high osmolarity is responsible for reabsorption of water and thus making urine concentrated.

If flow in vasa recta is reversed, then this counter current mechanism will not work and large amount of water will be excreted.The urine will be very diluted. This will cause dehydration in body