The Urinary System Pathology Flashcards
Nephrology
Branch of medicine involved in diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the kidney. Physician is a ‘nephrologist.’
Urology
Branch of medicine involved in diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the urinary system (and male reproductive system). Physician is a ‘urologist.’
Anuria
Complete suppression of urine formed by the kidneys and a complete lack of urine excretion
Azotemia
Accumulation of nitrogenous waste in the bloodstream. Occurs when the kidney fails to filter these wastes from the blood
Bacteriuria
Presence of bacteria in the urine
Calculus
Stone formed within an organ by an accumulation of mineral salts. Found in the kidney, renal pelvis, ureters, bladder, or urethra. Plural is ‘calculi.’
Cystalgia
Urinary bladder pain
Cystolith
Bladder stone
Cystorrhagia
Profuse bleeding from the urinary bladder
Diuresis
Increased formation and excretion of urine
Dysuria
Difficult or painful urination
Enuresis
Involuntary discharge of urine after the age by which bladder control should have been established. This usually occurs by the age of 5. ‘Nocturnal enuresis’ refers to bed-wetting at night
Frequency
Greater-than-normal occurrence in the urge to urinate, without an increase in the total daily volume of urine. Frequency is an indication of inflammation of the bladder or urethra
Glycosuria
Presence of sugar in the urine
Hematuria
Presence of blood in the urine
Hesitancy
Decrease in the force of the urine stream, often with difficulty initiating the flow. It is often a symptom of a blockage along the urethra, such as an enlarged prostate gland
Ketonuria
Presence of ketones in the urine. This occurs when the body burns fat instead of glucose for energy, such as in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
Nephrolith
Kidney stone
Nephromalacia
Kidney is abnormally soft
Nephromegaly
Kidney is enlarged
Nephrosclerosis
Kidney tissue has become hardened
Nocturia
Having to urinate frequently during the night
Oliguria
Producing too little urine
Polyuria
Producing an unusually large volume of urine
Proteinuria
Presence of protein in the urine
Pyuria
Presence of pus in the urine
Renal Colic
Pain caused by a kidney stone. Can be an excruciating pain and generally requires medical treatment
Stricture
Narrowing of a passageway in the urinary system
Uremia
Accumulation of waste products (especially
nitrogenous
wastes) in the bloodstream Associated with renal failure
Ureterectasis
Ureter is stretched out or dilated
Ureterolith
Stone in the ureter
Ureterostenosis
Ureter has become narrow
Urethralgia
Urethral pain
Urethrorrhagia
Profuse bleeding from the urethra
Urethrostenosis
Urethra has become narrow
Urgency
Feeling the need to urinate immediately
Urinary Incontinence
Involuntary release of urine. In some patients an indwelling catheter is inserted into the bladder for continuous urine drainage
Urinary Retention
Inability to fully empty the bladder, often indicates a blockage in the urethra
Acute Tubular Necrosis (ATN)
Damage to the renal tubules due to presence of toxins in the urine or to ischemia. Results in oliguria
Diabetic Nephropathy
Accumulation of damage to the glomerulus capillaries due to the chronic high blood sugars of diabetes mellitus
Glomerulonephritis
Inflammation of the kidney (primarily of the glomerulus). Since the glomerular membrane is inflamed, it becomes more permeable and will allow protein and blood cells to enter the filtrate. Results in protein in the urine (proteinuria) and hematuria
Hydronephrosis
Distention of the renal pelvis due to urine collecting in the kidney; often a result of the obstruction of a ureter
Nephritis
Kidney inflammation
Nephrolithiasis
Presence of calculi in the kidney. Usually begins with the solidification of salts present in the urine
Nephroma
Kidney tumor
Nephropathy
General term describing the presence of kidney disease
Nephroptosis
Downward displacement of the kidney out of its normal location; commonly called a ‘floating kidney.’
Nephrotic Syndrome (NS)
Damage to the glomerulus resulting in protein appearing in the urine, proteinuria, and the corresponding decrease in protein in the bloodstream. Also called ‘nephrosis.’
Polycystic Kidneys
Formation of multiple cysts within the kidney tissue. Results in the destruction of normal kidney tissue and uremia
Pyelitis
Renal pelvis inflammation
Pyelonephritis
Inflammation of the renal pelvis and the kidney. One of the most common types of kidney disease. It may be the result of a lower urinary tract infection that moved up to the kidney by way of the ureters. There may be large quantities of white blood ells and bacteria in the urine. Blood (hematuria) may even be present in the urine in this condition. Can occur with any untreated or persistent case of cystitis
Renal Cell Carcinoma
Cancerous tumor that arises from kidney tubule cells
Renal Failure
Inability of the kidneys to filter wastes from the blood resulting in uremia. May be acute or chronic. Major reason for a patient being placed on dialysis
Wilm’s Tumor (VILMZ)
Malignant kidney tumor found most often in children
Bladder Cancer
Cancerous tumor that arises from the cells lining the bladder; major sign is hematuria
Bladder Neck Obstruction (BNO)
Blockage of the bladder outlet. Often caused by an enlarged prostate gland in males
Cystitis
Urinary bladder inflammation
Cystocele
Hernia or protrusion of the urinary bladder into the wall of the vagina
Interstitial Cystitis
Disease of unknown cause in which there is inflammation and irritation of the bladder. Most commonly seen in middle-aged women
Neurogenic Bladder
Loss of nervous control that leads to retention; may be caused by spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Infection, usually from bacteria, of any organ of the urinary system. Most often begins with cystitis and may ascend in toe ureters and kidneys. Most common in women because of their shorter urethra
