. Flashcards
What is the primary function of the urinary system?
Excretion of waste products from the body
Waste products include urea and uric acid.
List the main components of the urinary system.
- Kidneys
- Ureters
- Urinary bladder
- Urethra
What is the role of the kidneys in the urinary system?
Filter blood and produce urine.
What is the function of the ureters?
Carry waste from kidneys to the bladder.
What does the urinary bladder do?
Stores urine until excretion.
What is the purpose of the urethra?
Expels urine from the bladder.
Define homeostasis in the context of the urinary system.
Regulate water and electrolyte balance in the body.
What are nitrogenous wastes that the urinary system eliminates?
- Urea
- Uric acid
How does the urinary system regulate blood pH?
By controlling the concentration of hydrogen ions.
What is erythropoietin and its function?
Stimulate red blood cell production in response to low oxygen levels.
What does renin regulate?
Blood pressure and fluid balance via the renin-angiotensin system.
What is fluid balance?
Regulating the amount of water in the body.
What is the size and shape of the kidneys?
Bean-shaped organs, approximately 11 cm long, 5 cm wide, and 3 cm thick.
Where are the kidneys located?
In the upper abdominal cavity, retroperitoneal, extending from T12 to L3 vertebrae.
What is the renal capsule?
Outer layer of connective tissue surrounding each kidney.
What does the adipose capsule do?
Provides cushioning and support for the kidneys.
What is the hilum of the kidney?
A concave fissure on the medial border for entry and exit of blood vessels and nerves.
What does the renal sinus contain?
- Blood vessels
- Lymphatics
- Part of the urinary system
- Adipose tissue
What are the two major regions of the kidney?
- Renal Cortex
- Renal Medulla
What structures are found in the renal medulla?
- Renal pyramids
- Renal columns
What is the function of the nephron?
Filters blood and regulates blood pressure and volume.
What is the glomerulus?
A knot of capillaries specialized for filtration.
What are podocytes?
Highly modified cells forming the inner layer of the glomerular capsule.
Fill in the blank: The __________ is the structural and functional unit of the kidney.
Nephron
What are the three major processes of urine production?
- Filtration
- Tubular Absorption
- Tubular Secretion
What is the filtration membrane?
Allows some substances to pass from the blood into the Bowman capsule.
What influences filtration pressure?
- Glomerular capillary pressure
- Blood protein concentration
- Pressure in the Bowman capsule
True or False: A decrease in blood volume leads to a decrease in urine production.
True
What is the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone Mechanism?
A hormonal mechanism that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.
What role does ADH play in the urinary system?
Regulates the amount of water reabsorbed by the kidneys.
What triggers the release of atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH)?
Increased blood pressure in the right atrium.
What is the function of the ureters?
Transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
Describe the micturition reflex.
Triggered by bladder stretching, leading to bladder contraction and urination.
What is the difference between intracellular fluid (ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF)?
- ICF: Lies within cells, makes up about 60% of body water.
- ECF: Fluid outside cells, accounts for one-third of body water.
What percentage of total body water is made up by intracellular fluid (ICF)?
About 60 percent
ICF lies within cells and is crucial for cellular function.
What is the primary role of interstitial fluid?
Acts as a medium for the exchange of nutrients and waste between blood and cells
Interstitial fluid is a component of extracellular fluid (ECF).
What is osmosis?
A process where water moves from a fluid with a higher water concentration to a fluid with a lower water concentration.
What is the composition of plasma (intravascular fluid)?
Rich in sodium, chloride, calcium, potassium, bicarbonate, and proteins
Plasma constitutes about 20% of ECF.
Fill in the blank: The extracellular fluid (ECF) accounts for ______ of the body’s water content.
One third
What are the three primary mechanisms involved in regulating extracellular fluid (ECF)?
- Renal System
- Hormonal Control
- Thirst Mechanism
True or False: The kidneys play a crucial role in regulating ECF composition.
True
What happens during glomerular filtration?
Blood is filtered in the glomeruli, removing waste products and excess fluid.
Which hormone increases water reabsorption in the kidneys?
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
ADH is released in response to increased blood concentration.
What is the function of aldosterone?
Increases sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, leading to increased water retention and blood volume.
What is the normal pH range of blood?
Between 7.35 and 7.45
Define acidosis.
Blood pH falls below 7.35.
What is the bicarbonate buffer system’s role in pH maintenance?
Helps maintain blood pH by binding or releasing H⁺ ions.
What are the physiological effects of acidosis?
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Coma
- Reduced myocardial contractility
- Arrhythmias
What is the maximum acidity level urine can achieve compared to blood?
Up to 1000 times more acidic.
What is the primary cause of respiratory acidosis?
Hypoventilation leading to CO₂ retention.
Name one example of a condition that can cause metabolic alkalosis.
Vomiting or excess antacid use.
What is the role of the kidneys in maintaining acid-base balance?
Remove excess hydrogen ions (H⁺) and produce bicarbonate (HCO₃-).
What is the primary composition of intracellular fluid (ICF)?
Elevated amounts of potassium, phosphate, magnesium, and protein.
Fill in the blank: The thirst mechanism is triggered by increased blood ______ or decreased blood volume.
Osmolality
What is the main fluid intake recommendation per day?
2500 ml of water
What are the three compartments of extracellular fluid (ECF)?
- Plasma
- Interstitial Fluid
- Transcellular Fluid
What characterizes respiratory alkalosis?
Hyperventilation leading to CO₂ loss.
What are the components of the phosphate buffer system?
- H⁺ binding to form H₂PO₄
- H⁺ release when pH increases
What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
A progressive lung disease that obstructs airflow and makes breathing difficult
COPD is often caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke.
Name one cause of inadequate breathing.
Asthma
Asthma is a condition characterized by narrowing and inflammation of the airways, leading to difficulty in breathing.
What are the symptoms of inadequate breathing?
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion or drowsiness
- Headache
- Cyanosis
- Rapid or shallow breathing
Cyanosis is a bluish skin condition due to a lack of oxygen in the blood.
What is the primary treatment for inadequate breathing?
Improve ventilation
This can include oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation.
What is metabolic alkalosis?
A condition where the blood becomes too basic (alkaline) due to an excess of bicarbonate or a loss of acids
Metabolic alkalosis can result in serious health issues if not addressed.
What is one cause of metabolic alkalosis?
Prolonged vomiting
Prolonged vomiting leads to a loss of stomach acid, contributing to the alkalosis.
What are the symptoms of metabolic alkalosis?
- Muscle twitching or cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Lightheadedness
- Confusion
- Irregular heartbeat
These symptoms can vary in severity based on the degree of alkalosis.
What is the primary treatment for metabolic alkalosis?
Correct the underlying cause
This may involve replacing lost fluids or electrolytes.
True or False: Excessive bicarbonate can lead to metabolic alkalosis.
True
Overuse of antacids or bicarbonate supplements can increase alkalinity in the blood.
Fill in the blank: Muscle twitching or cramps can be a symptom of _______.
[metabolic alkalosis]
What condition can result from altered buffering mechanisms in the body?
Life-threatening conditions
Disruption in the acid-base balance can lead to serious health issues if not corrected.
