The Urinary System : Key Terms Flashcards
angiotensin
a substance that increases blood pressure; activated in the blood by renin, an enzyme produced by the kidneys
calyx
a cup-like cavity in the pelvis of the kidney; also calix
diuresis
excretion of urine; usually meaning increased urinary excretion
diuretic
a substance that increases the excretion of urine, pertaining to diuresis
erythropoietin (EPO)
a hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow
glomerular capsule
the cup-shaped structure at the beginning of the nephron that surrounds the glomerulus and receives material filtered out of the blood; Bowman capsule
glomerular filtrate
the fluid dissolved materials that filter out the blood and enter the nephron through the glomerular capsule
glomerulus
the cluster of capillaries within the glomerular capsule
kidney
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
micturition
the voiding of urine; urination
nephron
a microscopic functional unit of the kidney; working with the blood vessels, the nephron filters the blood and balances the composition of urine
renal cortex
the kidney’s outer portion; contains portions of the nephrons
renal medulla
the kidney’s inner portion; contains portions of the nephrons and ducts that transport urine toward the renal pelvis
renal pyramid
a triangular structure in the renal medulla; composed of the nephron’s loops and collecting ducts
renin
an enzyme produced by the kidneys that activates angiotensin in the blood
trigone
a triangle at the base of the bladder formed by the openings of the two ureters and the urethra
tubular reabsorption
the return of substances from the glomerular filtrate to the blood through the peritubular capillaries
urea
the main nitrogenous (nitrogen - containing) waste product in the urine
ureter
the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder
urethra
the the that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body
urinary bladder
the organ that that stores and eliminates urine excreted by the kidneys
urination
voiding of urine; micturition
urine
fluid excreted by the kidneys. It consists of water, electrolytes, urea, other metabolic wastes. Other substances may appear in cases of disease
antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
a hormone released from the pituitary gland that causes water reabsorption in the kidneys, thus concentrating the urine
acidosis
excessive acidity of body fluids
bacteriuria
presence of bacteria in the urine
cast
a solid mold of a renal tubule found in the urine
cystitis
inflammation of the urinary bladder; usually as a result of infection
dysuria
painful or difficult urination
glomerulonephritis
inflammation of the kidney primarily involving the glomeruli. The acute form usually occurs after an infection elsewhere in the body; the chronic form varies in cause and usually leads to renal failure
hematuria
presence of blood in the urine
hydronephrosis
collection of urine in the renal pelvis caused by obstruction; results in distention and renal atrophy
hypokalemia
deficiency of potassium in the blood
hyponatremia
deficiency of sodium in the blood
hypoproteinemia
decreased amount of protein in the blood; may be caused by kidney damage resulting in protein loss
hyperkalemia
excess amount of potassium in the blood
hypernatremia
excess amount of sodium in the blood
nephrotic syndrome
condition that results from glomerular damage leadings to loss of protein in the urine. There is low plasma protein, edema, and increased blood lipids as the liver releases lipoproteins. Also called nephrosis.
oliguria
elimination of small amounts of urine
proteinuria
presence of protein, mainly albumin, in the urine
pyelonephritis
inflammation of the renal pelvis and kidney, usually caused by infection
pyuria
presence of pus in the urine
renal colic
radiating pain in the region of the kidney associated with the passage of a stone
uremia
presence of toxic levels of urea and other nitrogenous substances in the blood as a result of renal insufficiency
urethritis
inflammation of the urethra, usually due to infection
urinary stasis
stoppage of urine; urinary stagnation
catheterization
introduction of a tube into a passage, such as through the urethra into the bladder for a withdrawal of urine
cystoscope
an instrument for examining the interior of the urinary bladder. Also used for removing foreign objects, for surgery, and for other forms of treatment
dialysis
separation of substances by passage through a semipermeable membrane. Dialysis is used to rid the body of unwanted substances when the kidneys are impaired or missing. The two forms are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
hemodialysis
removal of unwanted substances from the blood by passage through a semipermeable membrane
intravenous pyelography (IVP)
intravenous urogrpahy
intravenous urography (IVU)
radiographic visualization of the urinary tract after intravenous administration of a contrast medium that is excreted in the urine; also called excretory urography or intravenous pyelography, although the latter is less accurate because the procedure shows more than on renal pelvis
lithotripsy
crushing of a stone
peritoneal dialysis
removal of unwanted substances from the body by introduction of a dialyzing fluid into the peritoneal cavity followed by the removal of fluid
retrograde pyelography
pyelography in which the contrast medium is injected into the kidneys from below, by the way of the ureters
specific gravity (SG)
the weight of a substance compared with the weight of an equal volume of water. The SG of normal urine ranges from 1.015 to 1.025. This value may increase or decrease in disease
urinalysis (UA)
lab study of the urine. Physical and chemical properties and microscopic appearance are included
cystectomy
surgical removal of all or part of the urinary bladder
ileal conduit
diversion of urine by connection of the ureters to an isolated segment of the ileum. One end of the segment is sealed, and the other drains through an opening in the abdominal wall. A procedure used when the bladder is removed or nonfunctional. AKA ileal bladder.
lithotomy
incision of an organ to remove a stone (calculus)
renal transplantation
surgical implantation of a donor kidney into a patient
