7. Urinary System Flashcards
arteriole
small artery
calciferol
active form of vitamin D, secreted by the kidney
calyx, or calix
cup-like collecting region of the renal pelvis
catheter
-tube for injecting or removing fluids
cortex
- outer region of an organ
- renal cortex is the outer region of the kidney
creatinine
- nitrogenous waste excreted in urine
- creatine clearance is a measure of the efficiency of the kidneys in removing (clearing) creatinine from the blood
- creatinine is a product of muscle metabolism`
electrolyte
chemical element that carries an electrical charge when dissolved in water
- electrolytes are necessary for functioning of muscles and nerves
- kidneys maintain the proper balance of electrolytes and water in the blood
- K and NA are electrolytes
erythropoietin (EPO)
hormone secreted by the kidney to stimulate the production of red blood cells by bone marrow
- stimulates red blood cell production
- increases the amount of O2 delivered to muscles
- enhances athletic endurance
-poietin
substance that forms
filtration
process whereby some substances, but not all, pass through a filter
glomerulus
-tiny ball of capillaries (microscopic blood vessels) in the kidney
hilum
- depression in an organ where blood vessels and nerves enter and leave
- also used in respiratory system to mark depression in lung where blood vessels, bronchus, lymphatic vessels enter and leave
kidney
- one of two bean shaped organs on either side of the backbone in the lumbar region
- filters nitrogenous wastes from the blood stream to form urine
meatus
-opening or canal
medulla
- inner region of an organ
- renal medulla- inner kidney
nephron
- combination of glomerulus and renal tubule where filtration, reabsorption, and secretion take place in kidney
- functional unit of the kidney
- capable of forming urine by itself
- 1 million nephrons in a kidney
nitrogenous waste
- substance containing nitrogen and excreted urine
- ex. urea, uric acid, and creatine
potassium (K)
- electrolyte regulated by the kidney so that a proper concentration is maintained within the blood
- K is essential for allowing muscle contraction and conduction of nervous impulses
reabsorption
process whereby renal tubules return materials necessary to the body back into the bloodstream
renal artery
blood vessel that carries blood to the kidney
renal pelvis
- central collecting region in the kidney
- collects urine
- reservior
renal tubule
microscopic tube in the kidney where urine is formed after filtration
renal vein
-blood vessel that carries blood away from the kidney and toward the heart
renin
- hormone secreted by the kidney
- it raises blood pressure by influencing vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels)