The Urinary System : Key Terms

Question 1

angiotensin

Answer 1

a substance that increases blood pressure; activated in the blood by renin, an enzyme produced by the kidneys

Question 2

calyx

Answer 2

a cup-like cavity in the pelvis of the kidney; also calix

Question 3

diuresis

Answer 3

excretion of urine; usually meaning increased urinary excretion

Question 4

diuretic

Answer 4

a substance that increases the excretion of urine, pertaining to diuresis

Question 5

erythropoietin (EPO)

Answer 5

a hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow

Question 6

glomerular capsule

Answer 6

the cup-shaped structure at the beginning of the nephron that surrounds the glomerulus and receives material filtered out of the blood; Bowman capsule

Question 7

glomerular filtrate

Answer 7

the fluid dissolved materials that filter out the blood and enter the nephron through the glomerular capsule

Question 8

glomerulus

Answer 8

the cluster of capillaries within the glomerular capsule

Question 9

kidney

Answer 9

an organ of excretion; the two kidneys filter the blood and form urine, which contains metabolic waste products and other substances as needed to regulate the water, electrolyte and pH balance of body fluids

Question 10

micturition

Answer 10

the voiding of urine; urination

Question 11

nephron

Answer 11

a microscopic functional unit of the kidney; working with the blood vessels, the nephron filters the blood and balances the composition of urine

Question 12

renal cortex

Answer 12

the kidney’s outer portion; contains portions of the nephrons

Question 13

renal medulla

Answer 13

the kidney’s inner portion; contains portions of the nephrons and ducts that transport urine toward the renal pelvis

Question 14

renal pyramid

Answer 14

a triangular structure in the renal medulla; composed of the nephron’s loops and collecting ducts

Question 15

renin

Answer 15

an enzyme produced by the kidneys that activates angiotensin in the blood

Question 16

trigone

Answer 16

a triangle at the base of the bladder formed by the openings of the two ureters and the urethra

Question 17

tubular reabsorption

Answer 17

the return of substances from the glomerular filtrate to the blood through the peritubular capillaries

Question 18

urea

Answer 18

the main nitrogenous (nitrogen - containing) waste product in the urine

Question 19

ureter

Answer 19

the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder

Question 20

urethra

Answer 20

the the that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body

Question 21

urinary bladder

Answer 21

the organ that that stores and eliminates urine excreted by the kidneys

Question 22

urination

Answer 22

voiding of urine; micturition

Question 23

urine

Answer 23

fluid excreted by the kidneys. It consists of water, electrolytes, urea, other metabolic wastes. Other substances may appear in cases of disease

Question 24

antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Answer 24

a hormone released from the pituitary gland that causes water reabsorption in the kidneys, thus concentrating the urine