CH7Vocabulary Flashcards
arTEriole
small artery
calCIFerol
active form of vitamin D, secreted by the kidney
CAlyx CAlix
CAlyces CAlices
cup-like collecting region of the renal pelvis. comes from Greek-kalux-cup or case surrounding a flower bud
CATHeter
tube for injecting or removing fluids. A bladder catheter drains urine from the bladder
CORtex
outer region of an organ; the renal cortex is the outer region of the kidney
cortical-pertaining to cortex
creAtinine
nitrogenous waste excreted in urine. Creatinine is a product of muscle metabolism.
creAtinine CLEarance
measure of how efficiently the kidneys are clearing creatinine from the body
eLECtrolyte
chemical element that carries an electrical charge when dissolved in water. Electrolytes are necessary for the functioning of muscles and nerves. the kidneys maintain the proper balance of electrolytes and water in the blood. Potassium K+ and sodium NA+ are electrolytes
erythroPOietin
EOP
hormone secreted by the kidney to stimulate the production of red blood cells. Poietin means a substance that forms. EPO stimulates red blood cell production by bone marrow and thus increases the amount of oxygen delivered to muscles. This enhances athletic endurance. However use of EPO is a form of blood doping and is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Authority
filTRAtion
process whereby some substances, but not all, pass through a filter
gloMERular CAPsule
enclosing structure surrounding each glomerulus. The glomeruler capsule is also known as Bowman Capsule and collects the material that is filtered from the blood through the walls of the glomerulus
glomeRUlus
glomeRUli
tiny balls of capillaries (microscopic blood vessels) in the kidney
HIlum
depression in the kidney were blood vessels and nerves enter and leave. Hilum comes from Latin meaning a small thing. It is also used in the respiratory system to mark the depression in the lung where blood vessels, bronchus, and lymphatic vessels enter and leave.
KIDney
one of two bean shaped organs on either side of the backbone in the lumbar region. It filters nitrogenous wastes from the bloodstream to form urine.
meAtus
opening or canal
meDUlla
inner region of an organ. The renal medulla is the inner region of the kidney. Medullary means pertaining to the medula. The term comes from Latin medulla, meaning marrow (inner part)
NEphron
functional unit of the kidney. It is the combination of glomerulus and renal tubule where filtration, reabsorption, and secretion take place in the kidney. Each nephron is capable of forming urine by itself. There are about 1 million nephrons in a kidney.
niTROGenous waste
substance containing nitrogen and excreted in urine. Examples of nitrogenous wastes are urea, uric acid, and creatinine
poTASsium (K+)
electrolyte regulated by the kidney so that a proper concentration is maintained within the blood. Potassium 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
REanl ARtery
blood vessel that carries blood to the kidney
REnal PELvis
central collecting region in the kidney
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
enzyme secreted by the kidney. It raises blood pressure by influencing vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels)
SOdium (Na+)
electrolyte regulated in the blood and urine by the kidneys. It is needed for proper transmission of nerve impulses, heart activity, and other metabolic functions. A common form of sodium is sodium chloride (table salt)
TRIgone
triangular area in the urinary bladder
uREa
major nitrogenous waste excreted in urine
Ureter
one of the two tubes leading from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.
uREthra
tube leading from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body
Uric acid
nitrogenous waste excreted in the urine
Urinary BLADder
hollow, muscular sac that holds and stores urine
urinAtion
process of expelling urine; also called micturition