Chapter 7 Flashcards
arteriole
small artery
calciferol
active form of vitamin D secreted by the kidney
calyx; calix
cup-like collecting region of the renal pelvis
catheter
tube for injecting or removing fluids
cortex
outer region of an organ; outer region of the kidney
creatinine
nitrogenous waste excreted in urine; product of muscle metabolism
creatinine clearance
measure of the efficiency of the kidneys in removing (clearing) creatinine from the blood
electrolyte
chemical element that carries an electrical charge when dissolved in water; necessary for functioning of muscles and nerves; proper balance maintained by kidneys; examples: potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+)
erythropoietin (EPO)
hormone secreted by kidney to stimulate the production of red blood cells
filtration
process whereby some substances, but not all, pass through a filter
glomerular capsule
enclosing structure surrounding each glomerulus; also known as Bowman capsule; collects material that is filtered from the blood through the walls of the glomerulus
glomerulus
tiny ball of capillaries in the kidney
hilum
depression in the kidney where blood vessels and nerves 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 bloodstream to form urine
meatus
opening or canal