Urinary System Flashcards
Excretory system
A combination of 4 systems; the urinary, digestive, respiratory and integumentary systems that are involved with the process of excretion of waste products.
Urinary system
Excrete waste products and eliminate then from the body; maintain homeostasis electrolyte balance and blood pH.
Kidneys (2)
A pair of organs of the urinary system in the abdominal cavity that excretes urine.
Renal Cortex
The outer portion of the kidney. It is reddish-brown and arches over the pyramids of the medulla and dips in between adjacent pyramids called the renal columns.
Medula
The renal medulla is a lighter color and consists of striated, cone-shaped masses called the renal pyramids. The apex of each pyramid projects toward the renal pelvis. The apex is studded with many openings and urine flows through these openings into an extension of the renal pelvis called a calyx.
Calyces (calyx)
Are cup-shaped extensions of the renal pelvis that receive the renal pyramids or papillae, which contain the collecting tubes bringing the urine which will flow from the calyces into the renal pelvis.
Renal pelvis (kidney pelvis)
Is the large funnel-shaped structure receiving the urine from the calyces and conveying it to the ureter. The renal pelvis is the expanded proximal end of the ureter.
Hilum (Hilus)
Is the root or recess of the kidney in the center of its medial concave border that acts as a port or entry/exit for structures entering/leaving the kidney.
Nephron
The functioning unit of the kidney; more than 1 million nephrons per kidney.
Afferent arteriole
Carries blood into the glomerulus of the nephron.
Glomerulus (Glomeruli)
Latin for little ball- it is the actual filter. The afferent arteriole divides up into a cluster or ball of capillaries through which the blood is filtered (a cluster of capillary loops).
Efferent arteriole
Drains blood from the glomerulus. The capillary loops unite forming the efferent arteriole. The arteriole carries blood to the convoluted tubule where it branches out to form the peritubular capillaries.
Peritubular capillaries
What carries substances that cannot pass through the filter of the glomerulus.
Bowman’s capsule
Is the extended, cup-like end of the renal tubule. It surrounds the glomerulus and receives its filtrate or whatever is filtered through the glomerulus.
Proximal convoluted tubule
Is the first portion of the renal tubule that is closest to the glomerulus. The term convoluted means winding or twisted.
Loop of Henle
Separates the proximal end from the distal convoluted tubule. It is somewhat narrower in the lumen.
Distal convoluted tubule
Is the portion furthest from the glomerulus.
Renal artery (oxygenated blood)
1) Afferent arteriole: enters the Bowman’s capsule
2) Efferent arteriole: exits the Bowman’s capsule
3) Glomerulus: coil of capillaries in Bowman’s capsule
4) Peritubular capillaries: surround the nephron
Renal vein (deoxygenated blood)
Takes blood back to the lungs to be re-oxygenated.
Renal cortex
Contains the glomerulus, Bowman’s capsule and both proximal and distal convoluted tubules.
Medulla
Contains the loop of Henle and collecting tubules.
Renin
A hormone produced by the kidneys that helps regulates blood pressure.
Erythropoietin
A hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production.
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Is produced by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. Its function is to stimulate active reabsorption of water in the renal (convoluted) tubules. A deficiency of this hormone produces a diseased called diabetes insipidus.
Aldosterone
Is a hormone (mineralocorticoid) produced by the adrenal cortex. It controls sodium retention and potassium excretion by the cells of the renal tubules.
Diuretic drugs
Increase the urinary output usually by decreasing renal tubular reabsorption of water. (i.e. Diuril)
Filtration
Blood is forces through the glomeruli in the nephrons by means of filtration.
Reabsorption
The glomerular filtrate within the tubule of the nephron contains water, ions, glucose and other useful small molecules at high concentrations. This filtrate is reabsorbed in the proximal, distal tubules and the loop of Henle. Whatever passes that is useful to the body will be reabsorbed into the blood stream through the cells of the renal tubules or peritubular capillaries. This processes are called diffusion and active transport.
Diffusion
Particles move from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached
Active Transport
The movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane into a region of higher concentration, assisted by enzymes and requiring energy.
Tubular secretion
Waste products in the blood are removed by a process called tubular secretion, which occurs in the loop of Henle and the distal convoluted tubule.
Rugae
A mucous membrane lining the develops into folds or wrinkles when the bladder is emptied.
Micturition
Voiding
250 ml
The normal capacity for voiding of the urinary bladder.
External (voluntary) sphincter
Emptying of the urinary bladder can be controlled voluntarily by the external sphincter.
Polyuria
Excessive production of urine
Urethra
The tube that leads from the bladder to the external opening called the urethral meatus.
Glomerulonephritis
Inflammation of the capillary loops in the glomeruli of the kidney. most common disease seen. Can present as a secondary infection following an infection with Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus Group A bacteria.
Pyelonephritis
Inflammation of the kidney and the renal pelvis. Acute Pyelonephritis is caused by bacteria that travels through the urinary system and Chronic Pyelonephritis is caused by a urinary blockage.
Chronic Renal Failure
Progressive loss of kidney function.
Dehydration
Excessive loss of body fluids.
Edema
Accumulation of fluids in the tissue.
Hypertension
Increase in blood pressure due to the increase in renin levels.
Anemia
Decrease in RBC production due to lack of erythropoietin.
Uremia
An excess in blood urea, creatinine, and other nitrogenous end products of protein and amino acid metabolism.
Kidney Dialysis (Hemodialysis)
Method used to remove from the blood, the elements normally excreted in the urine.
Renal calculi (Renal calculi)
Kidney stones
Cystitis
Inflammation of the urinary bladder from fecal microorganisms.
UTI
Urinary Tract Infection
Urethritis
Inflammation of the urethra, caused by the infectious organisms.
Urine color and transparency
Darker color more concentrated urine (less water) and cloudy/foul smelling urine indicator of sediment in urine or infection.
Chemical characteristics of Urine
A water solution of nitrogenous waste and inorganic salt, pH 5-7.8, specific gravity 1.015-1.025
Urea
Nitrogenous waste product; chief waste product
Creatinine
Nitrogenous waste product
Uric acid
Nitrogenous waste product
Glycosuria (glucosuria)
Indicating the presence of glucose in urine as seen in diabetes mellitus.
Albuminuria
A sign of kidney disease and means that you have too much albumin in your urine
Hematuria
Blood in the urine.
Ketouria
Ketone bodies (acetone) in the urine from excessive breakdown of fats. Seen in Diabetes mellitus and starvation.
Pyuria
Pus (white blood cells) in the urine.
Bilirubin
In the small intestine, bilirubin is changes to urobilinogen and then to urobilin for excretion into the urine (responsible for natural color). If excessive amounts of bilirubin is in the bloodstream, it can cause jaundice and urine can turn brown from excessive bile.
Bacteria
Any kind indicates possible infection or an UTI.
Casts
Are tiny molds formed in microscopic tubules of the kidneys that break loose and are washed out in the urine.
Angiotensin
A protein whose presence in the blood promotes aldosterone secretion and tends to raise blood pressure.
Urinalysis
A urinalysis is a test of your urine. It is often done to check for a urinary tract infections, kidney problems, or diabetes.
Calculi
Kidney stones (also called renal calculi, nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis) are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys.
Ureter
Extends from the kidneys to the bladder.
Urinary Bladder
A muscular sac has three smooth muscle layers and its function is to store urine and to expel/void by contraction.
Adipose capsule
Kidney structure
Retroperitoneal Space
Kidney structure
Kidney Transplant
Final option for kidney failure.
Noturia
Excessive urination at night.
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
A common blood test, the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test reveals important information about how well your kidneys are working. A BUN test measures the amount of urea nitrogen that’s in your blood.
Incontinence
Lack of voluntary control over urination or defecation.
Peristalsis
The motion that propels urine through the ureters; gravity helps when standing.
