The Urinary System Flashcards
primary functions of the kidneys
filter the blood to remove waste products, maintain electrolyte concentrations and remove excess water to maintain the fluid volume within the body
primary function of the renal pelvis
collects urine produced by the kidneys
primary function of urine
liquid waste products to be excreted
primary function of ureters
transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder
primary function of the urinary bladder
stores urine until it is excreted
primary function of the urethra
transports urine from the bladder through the urethral meatus, where it is excreted
primary functions of the prostate
a gland of the male reproductive system that surrounds the male urethra. disorders of this gland can disrupt the flow of urine
nephr/o, ren/o
kidneys
pyel/o
renal pelvis
ur/o, urin/o
urine
ureter/o
ureters
cyst/o
urinary bladder
urethr/o
urethra
prostat/o
prostate
-cele
hernia, tumor, swelling
cyst/o
urinary bladder, cyst, sac of fluid
dia-
through, between, apart, complete
-ectasis
stretching, dilation, enlargement
glomerul/o
glomerulus
lith/o
stone, calculus
-lysis
breakdown, separation, setting free, destruction, loosening
-pexy
surgical fixation
-tripsy
crush
ur/o
urine, urinary tract
-uria
urination, urine
homeostasis
the process through which the body maintains a constant internal environment
primary functions of the urinary system (3)
maintaining the proper balance of water, salts and acids in the body, constantly filtering the blood to remove urea, creatine, uric acid, converts waste products and excess fluids into urine
urinary system consists of these body parts: (4)
two kidneys, two ureters, one bladder, one urethra,
renal cortex
the outer region of the kidney; this layer contains more than million microscopic units called nephrons
medulla
the inner region of the kidney; it contains most of the urine-collecting tubules
nephrons
the microscopic functional units of the kidney; here urine is produced through filtration, reabsorption and secretion
glomerulus
a cluster of capillaries surrounded by a cup-shaped membrane within each nephron
renal pelvis
a funnel-shaped area inside each kidney that is surrounded by the renal cortex and medulla; this is where urine from the nephrons collects before it flows into the ureters
ureters
are two narrow 10-12 inch tubes; which transport urine from the kidney to the bladder
ureteral orifices
located within the wall of the urinary bladder; orifices means opening
urinary bladder
an oval, hollow, muscular organ that is a reservoir for urine before it is excreted from the body
urethra
the tube extending from the bladder to the exterior of the body
urethral meatus
the external opening of the urethra
prostate gland
part of the male reproductive system, surrounds the urethra
urination
the normal process of excreting urine; requires the coordinated contraction of the bladder muscles and relaxation of the sphincters, which forces the urine through the urethra and out through the urethral meatus
nephrologist
a physician who specialized in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the kidneys
urologist
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the urinary system of females and the genitourinary system of males
nephropathy
any disease of the kidney
renal failure
aka kidney failure; the inability of one or both kidneys to perform their functions; when too many irreplaceable nephrons are destroyed
azotemia
an elevation of the blood urea nitrogen caused by a lack of blood flow to each kidney
uremia
aka uremic poisoning; a toxic condition resulting from renal failure in which urea and other waste products normally secreted in the urine are retained in the blood
acute renal failure
sudden onset and is characterized by uremia; caused by the kidneys not receiving enough blood to filter due to dehydration or a sudden drop in blood volume
chronic kidney disease
the progressive loss of renal function over months or years
end-stage renal disease
the final stage of chronic kidney disease, this condition is fatal unless the failed kidneys are replaced by dialysis or successful kidney transplant
nephrotic syndrome
a group of conditions in which excessive amounts of protein are lost through the urine; results in abnormally low levels of protein in the blood
edema
excessive fluid accumulation in body tissues; swelling can be found around the eyes, abdomen or legs and feet
hyperproteinuria
the presence of abnormally high concentrations of protein in the urine
hypoproteinuria
the presence of abnormally low concentrations of protein in the blood
hydronephrosis
the dilation (swelling) of one or both kidneys; can be caused by backing up of urine due to an obstruction or narrowing in the ureter
nephritis
an inflammation of the kidney; common causes are toxins, infection or an autoimmune disease
glomerulonephritis
a type of nephritis caused by the inflammation of the glomeruli
nephroptosis
aka floating kidney; the prolapse or dropping down of a kidney into the pelvic area when the patient stands
nephropyosis
suppuration of the kidney; suppuration means the formation or discharge of pus
polycystic kidney disease
a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys
renal colic
an acute pain in the kidney area that is caused by blockage during the passage of a nephrolith
wilms tumor
a rare type of malignant tumor of the kidney that occurs in young children
stone
aka calculus; an abnormal deposit that has formed within the body and is named for the organ or tissue where it is located
nephrolithiasis
the presence of stones in the kidney
nephrolith
aka kidney stone
ureterolith
stone located anywhere along the ureter
cystolith
a stone located within the urinary bladder
hydroureter
the distention(swelling) of the ureter with urine that cannot flow because the ureter is blocked
ureterectasis
the distention(swelling) of a ureter due to hydroureter or congenital abnormalities
ureterorrhagia
the discharge of blood from the ureter
cystalgia
pain in the bladder
cystocele
aka prolapsed bladder, a hernia of the bladder through the vaginal wall
interstitial cystitis
a chronic inflammation within the walls of the bladder
vesicoureteral reflux
the backward flow of urine into the ureters from the bladder; most common in children
vesicovaginal fistula
an abnormal opening between the bladder and vagina that allows constant involuntary flow of urine from the bladder into the vagina
neurogenic bladder
a urinary problem caused by interference with normal nerve pathways associated with urination; normal urinary function depends on nerves to sense when the bladder is full and to control the muscles that retain or allow bladder to empty
benign prostatic hyperplasia
enlargement of the prostate gland that most often occurs in men older than 50; making urination difficult
prostatism
a disorder resulting from the compression or obstruction of the urethra due to benign prostatic hyperplasia
prostate cancer
one of the most common cancers among men; disease grows slowly with no symptoms then grows aggressively and spreads throughout the body
prostatitis
a group of disorders characterized by the inflammation of the prostate gland
urethrorrhagia
bleeding from the urethra
urethrorrhea
an abnormal discharge from the urethra
urethrostenosis
narrowing of the urethra
epispadias
a congenital abnormality of the urethral opening; in the male the urethral opening is located on the upper surface of then penis; in the female the urethral opening is in the region of the clitoris
hypospadias
a congenital abnormality of the urethral opening; in the male the urethral opening is on the ventral surface; in the female the urethra opens into the vagina
urinary tract infection
begins in the bladder; caused by bacteria, most often E.coli entering the urinary system
cystitis
an inflammation of the bladder
pyelonephritis
an inflammation of both the renal pelvis and kidney
urethritis
an inflammation of the urethra
anuria
the absence of urine formation by the kidneys
diuresis
the increased output of urine
dysuria
is difficult or painful urination
enuresis
the involuntary discharge of urine
nocturnal enuresis
urinary incontinence during sleep aka bed wetting
nocturia
frequent and excessive urination during the night
oliguria
means scanty urination caused by dehydration
polyuria
excessive urination and is a common symptom of diabetes
urinary hesitancy
difficulty in starting a urinary stream; common in older men with enlarged prostate glands
urinary retention
the inability to completely empty the bladder when attempting to urinate
incontinence
is the inability to control the excretion of urine, feces or both
urinary incontinence
is the inability to control the voiding of urine
stress incontinence
the inability to control the voiding of urine under physical stress such as running or lifting
overactive bladder
occurs when the muscles of the bladder contract involuntarily even though the bladder is not full enough to indicate the need to urinate
urinalysis
the examination of urine to determine the presence of abnormal elements
bladder ultrasound
the use of handheld ultrasound transducer to look for stones or for elevation of the bladder by an enlarged prostate and to measure the residual amount of urine remaining in the bladder after urination
urinary catheterization
the insertion of a tube into the bladder to procure a sterile specimen for diagnostic purposes
cystoscopy
the visual examination of the urinary bladder with the use of a specialized type of endoscope
voiding cystourethrography
a diagnostic procedure in which a fluoroscope is used to examine the flow of urine from the bladder and through the urethra
computed tomography
aka CT scan; a primary tool for evaluation of the urinary system because of its rapidness and additional imaging of the abdomen
glomerular filtration rate
a blood test to check how well the kidneys are functioning at filtering blood
cystography
is a radiographic, or x-ray examination of the bladder after a contrast medium in instilled via a urethral catheter
intravenous pyelography
radiographic study of the kidneys and ureters
KUB
kidneys, ureters, bladder-a radiographic study without the use of a contrast medium
retrograde urography
a radiograph of the urinary system taken after a contrast medium has been placed in the urethra through a sterile catheter
digital rectal examination
performed on men by using a lubricated, gloved finger placed in the rectum to palpate the prostate gland to detect prostate enlargement or indications of prostate cancer or tumors
prostate-specific antigen(PSA) blood test
used to screen for prostate cancer; by measuring the amount of PSA present in a blood specimen
diuretics
medications administered to increase urine secretion, primarily to rid the body of excess water and salt
dialysis
a procedure to remove waste products from a patient’s blood whose kidneys no longer function
hemodialysis
the process where waste products are filtered directly from the patient’s blood
peritoneal dialysis
the lining of the peritoneal cavity acts as the filter to remove waste from the blood
nephrolysis
the surgical freeing of a kidney from adhesions
adhesion is a band of fibers that hold structures together abnormally
nephropexy
aka nephrorrhaphy; the surgical fixation of nephroptosis or a floating kidney
nephrostomy
the placement of a catheter to maintain an opening from the pelvis of one or both kidneys to the exterior of the body
pyelotomy
a surgical incision into the renal pelvis to correct obstructions
renal transplantation
aka kidney transplant
extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)
the most common kidney stone treatment; high ultrasonic waves traveling through water or gel are used to break the stone into fragments
percutaneous nephrolithotomy
the surgical removal of a nephrolith through a small incision in the back
ureterectomy
the surgical removal of a ureter
ureterorrhaphy
the surgical suturing of ureter
ureteroscopy
a treatment for a nephrolith lodged in the ureter using a ureteroscope
cystectomy
the surgical removal of all or part of the urinary bladder
ileal conduit
the use of a small piece of intestine to convey urine to the ureters and to a stoma in the abdomen
cystopexy
the surgical fixation of the bladder to the abdominal wall
cystorrhaphy
the surgical suturing of a wound or defect in the bladder
lithotomy
a surgical incision for the removal of a nephrolith from the bladder
urinary catheterization
performed to withdraw urine for diagnostic purposes
indwelling catheter
remains inside the body for a prolonged time based on need
urethral catheterization
performed by inserting a catheter through the urethra and into the bladder
suprapubic catheterization
the placement of a catheter into the bladder through a small incision made through the abdominal wall just above the pubic bone
foley catheter
the most common type of indwelling catheter; a flexible tube with a balloon filled with sterile water at the end to hold it in place in the bladder
intermittent catheter
inserted as needed several times a day to drain urine from the bladder
meatotomy
a surgical incision made in the urethral meatus to enlarge the opening
urethroplasty
the surgical repair of damage or a defect in the walls of the urethra
urethrotomy
is a surgical incision into the urethra for relief of a stricture
ablation
a treatment involving the removal of a body part or the destruction of its function through the use of surgery. hormones, drugs, heat chemicals or other methods
prostatectomy
the surgical removal of part or all of the prostate gland
transurethral prostatectomy
the removal of excess tissue from an enlarged prostate gland with the use of an resectoscope
retrograde ejaculation
when an orgasm results in semen flowing backward into the bladder instead of out of the penis
kegel exercises
a series of pelvic muscle exercises used to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor
bladder retraining
behavioral therapy in which the patient learns to urinate on a schedule with increasingly longer time intervals as the bladder increases its capacity
