Chapter 7 Vocab Flashcards
arteriole
small artery
calciferol
active form of vitamin D, sectreted 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; the renal cortex is the outer layer of the kidney
creatinine
nitrogenous waste excreted in urine, a product of muscle metabolism
electrolyte
chemical element that carries an electrical charge when dissolved in water, necessary for functioning of muscles and verves
erythropoietin (EPO)
hormone secreted by the kidney to stimulate the production of red blood cells by bone marrow
filtration
process where some structures, but not all, pass through a structure
glomerular capsule
enclosing structure surrounding each glomerulus, collects the material that is filtered from the blood though the walls of the glomerulus
glomerulus
tiny ball of capillaries (microscopic blood vessels) in the kidney
hilum
depression in an organ where blood vessels and nerves enter and leave
kidney
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
medulla
inner region of an organ
nephron
combination of glomerulus and renal tubule where filtration, reabsorption, and secretion take place in the kidney
nitrogenous waste
substance containing nitrogen and excreted in urine
potassium (K+)
electrolyte regulated by the kidney so a proper concentration is maintained within the blood, essential for allowing muscle contraction and conduction of nerve impulses
reabsoption
process where 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
renal tubule
microscopic tube in the kidney where urine is formed after filtration
renal vein
blood vessel that carries blood away from kidney and towards heart
renin
hormone secreted by kidney, raises blood pressure by influencing vasoconstriction