Chapter 14 - The Urinary System Flashcards
small artery that carries blood into the glomerulus of the nephron
afferent arteriole
small arteries that lie at the bases of the renal pyramids and appear as echogenic structures
arcuate arteries
laboratory measurement of the amount of nitrogenous waste and creatinine in the blood; waste products accumulate in the blood when kidneys malfunction
blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
the cup-shaped end of a renal tubule enclosing a glomerulus; site of filtration of the kidney; contains water, salts, glucose, urea, and amino acids
Bowman’s capsule
part of the renal collecting system adjacent to the pyramid that collects urine and is connected to the major calyx
calyx
bands of cortical tissue that separate the renal pyramids; may mimic a renal mass on sonography when prominent
columns of Bertin
refers to the outer parenchyma of the kidney that contains the renal corpuscle and proximal and distal convoluted tubules of the nephron
cortex
a product of metabolism; laboratory test that measures the ability of the kidney to get rid of waste; waste products accumulate in the blood when the kidneys are malfunctioning
creatinine (Cr)
normal variant that occurs on the left kidney as a bulge on the lateral border
dromedary hump
small artery that carries blood from the glomerulus of the nephron and conducts blood to the peritubular capillaries that surround the renal tubule
efferent arteriole
another term for the renal fascia
Gerota’s fascia
The kidney is covered by the renal capsule, perirenal fat, Gerota’s fascia, and pararenal fat
network of capillaries that are part of the filtration process in the kidney
glomerulus
area of kidney where vessels, ureter, and lymphatics enter and exit
hilus
maintenance of normal body physiology
homeostasis
congenital malformation in which both kidneys are joined together by an isthmus, most commonly at the lower poles
horseshoe kidney
dilation of the renal collecting system
hydronephrosis
portion of a renal tubule lying between the proximal and distal convoluted portions
loop of Henle
Reabsorption of fluid, sodium, and chloride occurs in the proximal convoluted tubule and the loop of Henle
receive urine from the minor calyces to convey to the renal pelvis
major calyces (also known as the infundibula)
the inner portion of the renal parenchyma that contains the loop of Henle
medulla (also known as the pyramid)
receive urine from the renal pyramids; form the border of the renal sinus
minor calyces
right posterior subhepatic space located anterior to the kidney and inferior to the liver where fluid may accumulate
Morison’s pouch
functional unit of the kidney; includes a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule
nephron
interruption in the normal development of the kidney resulting in absence of the kidney; may be unilateral or bilateral
renal agenesis
first layer adjacent to the kidney that forms a tough, fibrous covering
renal capsule
part of the nephron that consists of Bowman’s capsule and the glomerulus
renal corpuscle
a kidney that is not located in its usual position, usually found in the pelvic cavity
renal ectopia (ectopic kidney)
area in the midportion of the kidney where the renal vessels and ureter enter and exit
renal hilum
incomplete development of the kidney, usually with fewer than five calyces
renal hypoplasia
area in the midportion of the kidney that collects urine before entering the ureter
renal pelvis
one of several conical masses of tissue that form the kidney medulla. The base of each pyramid adjoins the kidney’s cortex; the apex terminates at a renal calyx. The pyramids consist of the loops of Henle and the collecting tubules of the nephrons
renal pyramid
central area of the kidney that includes the calyces, renal pelvis, renal vessels, fat, nerves, and lymphatics
renal sinus
space behind the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity
retroperitoneum
laboratory tests that measure how much dissolved material is present in the urine
specific gravity
retroperitoneal structures that exit the kidney to carry urine to the urinary bladder
ureters
small, membranous canal that excretes urine from the urinary bladder
urethra
muscular retroperitoneal organ that serves as a reservoir for urine
urinary bladder
stone within the urinary system
urolithiasis
