CH. 6: Urinary Terms

Question 1

kidney

Answer 1

one of two bean-shaped organs located on each side of the vertebral column on the posterior wall of the abdominal cavity covered anteriorly by the parietal peritoneum. Their function is to remove waste products from the blood and to aid in maintaining water and electrolyte balances.

Question 2

nephron

Answer 2

urine-producing microscopic structure. Approx. 1 million nephrons are located in each kidney.

Question 3

glomerulus (pl. glomeruli)

Answer 3

cluster of capillaries at the entrance of the nephron. The process of filtering the blood, thereby forming urine, being here.

Question 4

renal pelvis

Answer 4

funnel-shaped reservoir in the kidney that collects the urine and passes it to the ureter

Question 5

hilum

Answer 5

indentation on the medial side of the kidney where the renal artery, vein, and pelvis are located and the ureter leaves the kidney

Question 6

ureters

Answer 6

two slender tubes, approx. 10 to 13 inches (26 to 33 cm) long, that receive the urine from the kidneys and carry it to the posterior portion of the bladder.

Question 7

urinary bladder

Answer 7

muscular, hollow organ that temporarily holds the urine. As it fills, the thick, muscular wall becomes thinner, and the organ increases in size

Question 8

urethra

Answer 8

lowest part of the urinary tract, through which the urine passes from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body. This narrow tube varies in length by sex. It is approx. 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) long in the female and approx. 8 inches (20 cm) in the male, in whom it is also part of the reproductive system. It carries seminal fluid (semen) at the time of ejaculation.

Question 9

urinary meatus

Answer 9

opening through which the urine passes to the outside