Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Biomed2 > Urinary > Flashcards

Urinary Flashcards

1
Q

Functions of the urinary system

A

⭐️ excretion of unwanted substances
⭐️maintenance of water & electrolyte balance
⭐️ pH regulation of body fluids (especially blood)
⭐️ production of hormones (erythropoietin & calcitrol)
⭐️ regulation of RBC production
⭐️ regulation of blood pressure, volume & osmolarity
⭐️ regulation of blood glucose levels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What compound does the kidneys specialise in excreting

A

Nitrogenous wastes
(Amino acid/protein building blocks of nitrogen)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What wastes and toxins do the kidneys excrete

A
  1. Urea - metabolite of protein metabolism
  2. Uric acid - purine metabolism product
  3. Creatinine - muscle metabolism product
  4. Hydrogen ions - excess acidity
  5. Medications & toxins - detoxed in the liver
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the minimum urine content required to clear body waste

A

500ml/day

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the most important electrolytes regulated by the kidneys

A

Sodium, potassium & hydrogen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are buffer substances

A

Molecules that can buffer/regulate changes in pH
By conjugation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the two primary pH control systems

A

Lungs - excrete co2
Kidneys - excrete hydrogen & produce buffer bicarbonate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is calcitriols role with the kidneys

A

UV light triggers vitamin D precursor in skin
Kidneys converts to calcitriol
This increases bone formation (calcium absorption) & reduces calcium loss in kidneys (along with PTH)

Deficiency can cause osteomalacia and rickets

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are normal blood glucose ranges

A

4-7 mmol/L
Above 9 inidcatez pathology eg diabetes mellitus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What process do kidneys undergo to make glucose when hypoglycaemic

A

Make glucose from the amino acid GLUTAMINE
- gluconeogenesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How do the kidneys maintain a constant blood concentration/osmolality

A

Conserve/eliminate water
Regulat loss of solute

Regulate blood pressure by secreting enzyme RENIN to acitivate Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone pathway

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Where are the kidneys located

A

Partially protected by the 11th & 12th pairs of ribs (between vertebrae T11-L3)

Right kidney is lower than left because liver occupies space on right side superior

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What layers surround the kidneys

A

1) renal capsule (deep layer) - connective tissue

2) adipose capsule (middle layer) - protection & support

3) renal fascia (superficial layer) - connective tissue that anchors kidneys in place

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the renal papilla

A

The point of the renal medulla pyramids where urine collects to enter the ureter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the renal hilum

A

The region where blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves & ureters enter & exit the kidney
Kidneys receive 20-25% cardiac output

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is a kidney nephron

A

Functional unit of the kidney
More than 1 million per kidney
Single epithelial layer

Layers:
1) renal corpuscle
2) renal tubule

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the glomerulus

A

A tangled capillary network that receives blood from an afferent arteriole in the kidney

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the bowmans capsule

A

A double walled epithelial cup that surrounds the glomerulus, receiving contents of filtered blood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the renal tubule

A

Filtered fluid is passed through the tubule and is important in reabsorption & secretion of various solutes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How does ADH act on the kidneys

A

Acts on the distal convoluted tubule to reabsorb water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the loop of henle

A

Loop in the renal tubule that descends & ascends

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Function of the 2 URETERS

A

Peristaltic contractions of their muscle walls propel urine down down into bladder

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Why do ureters have a mucous membrane

A

Assists in reducing friction & allows easy movement as well as a protective layer from urine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is transitional epithelium & where found

A

Epithelium with ability to strectch

Found in the bladder !

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is the trigone
Located on posterior floor of bladder, small triangular shape bordered by the two ureteral openings & the urethral opening
26
What is the detrusor
The smooth muscle found in the muscularis layer of the bladder The fibres accumulate & form the internal urethral sphincter
27
What is the urethra
Tube leading from the bladder to the exteroir of the body, passageway for urine & in males semen too
28
What are the 3 basic processes of urine formation
1. Glomerular filtration 2. Tubular reabsorption 3. Tubular secretion
29
What molecules can pass through the glomerulus
Water & small molecules can pass through the pores in the glomerular capillaries Mineral salts (electrolytes) Amino acids & glucose Ketoacids Hormones Creatinine Urea Uric acid Toxins
30
How is glomerular filtration adapted
1. The diameter of the efferent arteriole (ie enters at high pressure) is less than that of the afferent 2. 50x more leaky than normal capillaries
31
What molecules cant pass through glomerular filtration pores
Leukocytes Erythrocytes Platelets Plasma proteins
32
What 3 main filtration pressures do glomerulus depend on?
1. Blood pressure in the glomerular capillaries force substances through 2. Proteins present in blood plasma maintain osmotic pressure & oppose blood pressure “Blood colloid osmotic pressure” 3. Back pressure of fluid already passed through in the tubule opposes filtration “Capsular hydrostatic pressure”
33
What is the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
The amount of filtrate formed in the renal corpuscles of both kidneys each minute Males = 125ml/min Females = 105ml/min Normal should be over 90ml/min Calculated through a blood test helps determine kidney disease Anything affecting 3 filtration pressures will affect GFR
34
What is colloid osmotic pressure
A form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins (notably albumin)
35
What can damage of the glomerular capillaries lead to
Can lead to plasma protein loss into urine, specifically albuminuria Less albumin in blood makes it hypotonic, fluid moves from blood into tissues Decreases blood volume & interstitial fluid volume increases leading to oedema
36
What is most commonly reabsored into the bloodstream in the renal tubules & collecting ducts
Water (65% in PCT) Amino acids & glucose Electrolytes Most reabsorption occurs in the proximal convoluted tubule
37
What does angiotensin mean
Angio = vessel Tensin = constriction 2 Triggers vasoconstriction which increases blood pressure & triggers pituitary release of ADH & adrenal cortex to produce aldosterone
38
What 5 hormones affect kidney reabsorption of sodium, chloride, calcium, water & potassium secretion
1. Angiotensin II 2. Aldosterone 3. ADH — all 3 increase blood pressure 4. Atrial Natriuretic peptide — works to lower blood pressure 5. Parathyroid hormone — elevates blood calcium lvls
39
What is the overall effect of the ‘RAAS’ system
Increases blood pressure Angiontensin II = vasoconstriction Aldosterone = water reabsorption in kidneys
40
What are the effects of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide
Inhibits reabsorption of sodium & water in the renal tubules ANP is released in response to atrial stretch, reducing blood volume and increasing urine output hence lowering blood pressure Also suppresses release of ADH & aldosterone
41
How does PTH increase blood calcium
Stimulates renal reabsorption of calcium & magnesium Increases osteoclast activity Stimulates calcitriol release (increasing gut calcium absorption)
42
What does micturition mean
The discharge of urine from the bladder
43
What is the micturition reflex
When volume in bladder exceeds 200-400ml stretch receptors in bladder wall transmit nerve impulses to spinal cord at levels s2 & s3 Generating a micturition reflex, relaxing internal urethral sphincter (& external in infants)
44
What are the usual compounds found in urine
Water (96%) Urea (2%) uric acid & creatinine Ammonia Na, K, Cl, P, S Hormones Oxalates (found in fruit & veg)
45
What signs & symptoms need to be looked out for indicating urinary system pathology
Frequent & painful urination with urgency Red urine (blood or foods?) Pain in the loin High urine volume with great thirst Low or no urine volune Nausea & vomiting Oedema Exhaustion
46
Common signs of renal disease
- pallor (due to anaemia) - frothy urine (proteinuria) - oedema - signs of itching skin (uraemia) - altered mental state (common with UTIs) - puffy face & bags under eyes - dehydration (slow skin recoil) & flapping tremor (shaking wrists when extended)
47
main types of urine analysis
1. Dipstick test 2. Urine microscopy 3. Blood test - GFR, Urea, creatinine, electrolytes 4. Ultrasound, cystoscopy, MRI, CT 5. Inflammatory markers
48
What are casts
Groups of cellular materials that clump together in kidney nephrons
49
Dysuria
Painful, burning urination
50
Oliguria & polyuria
Polyuria = large quantity of urine Oliguria = little urine (<400ml/day)
51
Anuria
No urine
52
Nocturia
Night urination - waking to urinate
53
Why can increased glomerular permeability lead to oedema
Loss of plasma proteins leads to low plasma osmotic pressure, so fluid moves out of capillaries into tissues = oedema
54
What are the use of diuretics
Meds which increase loss of sodium & water from kidneys Reduce reabsorption from kidney tubules Used for oedema & hypertension
55
Common bacterial cause of cystitis
E.coli
56
What is glomerulonephritis
Immune mediated disease that causes glomerular inflammation Autoimmune reaction (type III hypersensitivity) where antigen-antibody immune complexes are formed in response to infection. These are deposited in the glomeruli where they trigger immune response, causing leaky capillaries & leukocyte proliferation allowing proteins & erythrocytes to escape into urine Immune mediated can occur 1-3 weeks after bacterial infection (often from upper respiratory tract) eg children can develop post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
57
What is nephrotic syndrome
A collection of signs & symptoms associated with increased glomerular permeability & heavy proteinuria Not a cause but a syndrome Eg lupus can be cause
58
Why are you more likely to develop kidney disease when diabetic
Diabetes mellitus elevates blood pressure Glomerulosclerosis occurs as a result of increased intra-glomerular pressure Kidenys are often enlarged Glomeruli often become damaged & proteins leak leading to associated syndrome
59
What are renal calculi usually made of
80% calcium oxalate & phosphate
60
What is haemodialysis
Used in cases of renal failure, blood is taken through a machine whereby mimicing excretory function of kidneys to remove wastes/balance electrolytes etc
61
What is peritoneal dailysis
Same case as mimicing kidney functions in states of renal failure but envolving extraction through the peritoneum itself, utilising the highly vascular semi-permeable membrane to allow for diffusion of fluids & dissolves substances Tube inserted into abdomen which administers dialysis fluid, through which waste products diffuse into, removal occurs via a shunt & changing dialysis solution when in excess
62
What is the renal threshold for glucose
9mmol/L
63
What is a metabolic waste excreted by kidneys
Uric acid
64
What forms the renal corpuscle
The glomerulus & bowmans capsule
65
What hormones are produced by the kidneys
Erythropoietin & calcitriol (converts vitamin D inactive form to active)

Biomed2 (9 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions