Chapter 7: Vocabulary Flashcards
arteriole
small artery
calciferol
active form of vitamin D, secreted by the kidney
calyx or calix
calyces or calices
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 region of the kidney
creatinine
nitrogenous waste excreted in urine
electrolyte
chemical element that carries an electrical charge when dissolved in water
erythropoietin (EPO)
hormone secreted by the kidney to stimulate the production of red blood cells by bone marrow
filtration
process whereby some substances pass through a filter
glomerular capsule
enclosing structure surrounding each glomerulus
glomerulus
plural: glomeruli
tiny ball of capillaries in the kidney
hilum
depression in an organ 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.
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 kidney so that a proper concentration is maintained within the blood
reabsorption
process whereby 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 the kidney and toward the heart
renin
hormone secreted by the kidney; raises blood pressure by influencing vasoconstriction
sodium (Na+)
electrolyte regulated in the blood and urine by the kidneys; needed for proper transmission of nerve impulses, heart activity, and other metabolic functions
trigone
triangular area int he 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 store urine
urination (voiding)
process of expelling urine; also called micturition
