Urinary System Flashcards
Organs of the urinary system
Kidneys
Ureters
Urinary Bladder
Urethra
Kidneys are small, dark red organs with a kidney-bean shape lie against the dorsal body wall in a __________ position
retroperitoneal
The kidneys extend from the ____ to the ___ vertebra;thus they receive some protection from the lower part of the rib cage.
T12
L3
The kidneys extend from the ____ to the ___ vertebra;thus they receive some protection from the lower part of the rib cage.
T12
L3
Which kidney is slightly lower than the other and why is it so?
The right kidney is slightly lower than the left because it is crowded by the liver.
The kidney is convex laterally and has a medial indentation called
renal hilum
Several structures, including the ureters, the renal blood vessels, and nerves, enter or exit the kidney at the
hilum
Sitting atop each kidney is an____ , which is part of the endocrine system and is a separate organ.
adrenal gland
What are the three protective layers of the kidney
Fibrous capsule
Perirenal fat capsule
Renal fascia
A transparent _______ encloses each kidney and gives a glistening appearance
fibrous capsule
A fatty mass, the _______, surround each kidney and cushions it against blows
perirenal fat capsule
The most superficial layer made of dense fibrous connective tissue, anchors the kidney and adrenal gland to surrounding structures
renal fascia
If the amount of fatty tissue dwindles (as with rapid weight loss), the kidneys may drop to a lower position, a condition called
(renal) ptosis
When ptosis happens, urine that can no longer pass through the ureters backs up and exerts pressure on the kidney tissue; a condition called
hydronephrosis
The three regions of the kidney
Renal cortex
Renal medulla
Renal pelvis
The other region of the kidney that is light in color
Renal cortex
Deep to the renal cortex is darker reddish brown area called
Renal medulla
The renal medulla has triangular regions with a striped appearance called
Renal pyramids or medullary pyramids
The pyramids are separated by extensions of cortexlike tissue, called
renal columns
Lateral to the hilum is a flat, funnel-shaped tube, the ____ ; it is continuous with the ureter leaving the hilum
renal pelvis
Extensions of the pelvis, _______, form cup-shaped “drains” that enclose the tips of the pyramids
calyces
It collect urine, which continuously drains from the tips of the pyramids into the renal pelvis.
Calyces
Approximately_____ of the total blood supply of the body passes through the kidneys each minute.
one-quarter
What artery is supplying the each kidney?
Renal artery
As the renal artery approaches the hilum, it divides into ________
Segmental arteries
segmental arteries, each of which gives off several branches called_____ which travel through the renal columns to reach the cortex
interlobar arteries
At the cortex-medulla junction, interlobar arteries give off the ________, which arch over the medullary pyramids.
arcuate arteries
Small ________ then branch off the arcuate arteries to supply the renal cortex.
cortical radiate arteries
TRUE OR FALSE
Venous blood draining from the kidney flows through veins that trace the pathway of the arterial supply but in a reverse direction— cortical radiate veins to arcuate veins to interlobar veins to the renal vein, which emerges from the kidney hilum and empties into the inferior vena cava.
TRUE
______ are the structural and functional units of the kidneys and are responsible for forming urine.
Nephrons
there are thousands of ________, each of which collects fluid from several nephrons and conveys it to the renal pelvis.
collecting ducts
Each nephron consists of two main structures: a ______ and a _______
renal corpuscle
renal tubule
Each _______ consists of a glomerulus and a cup-shaped hollow structure that completely surrounds the glomerulus like a wellworn baseball glove encloses a ball.
renal corpuscle
a knot of capillaries
Glomerulus
portion of the renal corpuscle
glomerular capsule or bowman’s capsule
The inner layer of the glomerular capsule is made up of highly modified octopus-like cells called
podocytes
Podocytes have long branching extensions called_______ that intertwine with one another and cling to the glomerulus.
foot processes
Podocytes have long branching extensions called_______ that intertwine with one another and cling to the glomerulus.
foot processes
Openings called_____ slits between the foot processes allow the podocytes to form a porous, or “holey,” membrane around the glomerulus ideal for filtration.
filtration
Makes up the rest of the nephron
Renal tubule
As it extends from the glomerular capsule, it coils and twists before forming a hairpin loop and then again becomes coiled and twisted before entering a collecting duct.
Renal tubule
Different regions of the renal tubule
Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)
Nephron loop (loop of Henle)
Distal convoluted tubule (DCT)
Increases the surface area of the tubule cells
Microvilli
The_______ exposed to the filtrate in the proximal convoluted tubules are covered with dense microvilli, which increases their surface area tremendously.
surfaces of the tubulecells
Most nephrons are called_______ because they are located almost entirely within the cortex.
cortical nephrons
In a few cases, the nephrons are called __________ because they are situated close to the cortex-medulla junction, and their nephron loops dip deep into the medulla
juxtamedullary nephrons
________ run downward through the medullary pyramids, giving the pyramids a striped appearance; they deliver the final urine product into the calyces and renal pelvis.
collecting ducts
Each and every nephron is associated with two capillaries beds, what are these?
Glomerulus and peritubular capillary bed
The glomerulus is fed by the _____, which arises from a cortical radiate artery; it is the feeder vessel
afferent arteriole
receives the blood that has passed through the glomerulus.
efferent arteriole
How does the glomerulus differ from any other capillary bed in the entire body?
Because it is both fed and drained by arterioles
A capillary bed that arises from efferent arteriole that drains the glomerulus
Peritubular capillaries
these capillaries are low-pressure, porous vessels adapted for absorption instead of filtration
peritubular capillaries
The peritubular capillaries ultimately drain into ___________ leaving the cortex.
interlobar veins
Three processes of urine formation:
glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, and tubular secretion
acts as a filter
glomerulus
is a nonselective, passive process in which fluid passes from the blood into the glomerular capsule part of the renal tubule.
Glomerular filtration
It is essentially blood plasma without blood proteins; fluid in the capsule
Filtrate
An abnormally low urinary output between 100 and 400 ml/day
oliguria
an abnormally low urinary output less than 100 ml/day
anuria
What does low urinary output indicate?
It indicates that glomerular pressure is too low to cause filtration
It begins as soon as the filtrate enters the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)
Tubular reabsorption
These are called transporters; they take up needed substances from the filtrate and then passing them out their posterior aspect into the extracellular space, from which they are absorbed into peritubular capillary blood.
Tubule cells
depends on active processes, which use membrane carriers, require ATP, and are very selective.
Reabsorption
Most reabsorption occurs in the ______
proximal convoluted tubules
is essentially tubular reabsorption in reverse
Tubular Secretion
This process seems to be important for getting rid of substances not already in the filtrate
Tubular Secretion
formed by the liver as an end product of protein breakdown when amino acids are used to produce energy
urea
released when nucleic acids are metabolized
uric acid
associated with creatine metabolism in muscle tissue
creatinine
poorly reabsorbed because our body does not need it
nitrogenous waste products
In 24 hours, the marvelously complex kidneys filter some ___________ of blood plasma through their glomeruli into the tubules
150 to 180 liters
In the same 24 hours, only about ________ of urine are produced
1.0 to 1.8 liters
contains everything that blood plasma does (except proteins)
Filtrate
contains nitrogenous wastes and unneeded or excess substances
urine
Freshly voided urine is generally clear and _______
pale to deep yellow
a pigment that results from the body’s destruction of hemoglobin
urochrome
TRUE OR FALSE
THE MORE SOLUTES IN THE URINE, THE DEEPER YELLOW ITS COLOR
True
is a pale, straw color
dilute urine
TRUE OR FALSE
Urine is sterile, and its odor is slightly aromatic
True
What is the odor of urine if it is allowed to stand, and why does it have that odor?
Ammonia odor because caused by the action of bacteria on the urine solutes
Urine ph is?
slightly acidic, pH is around 6
________ of the urinary tract also may cause the urine to be alkaline
bacterial infection of the urinary tract
compares how much heavier urine is than distilled water
Specific Gravity
Kidney inflammation
Pyelonephritis
Name the condition:
Substance: Glucose
Possible causes:
-Nonpathological: Excessive intake of sugary foods
-Pathological: Diabetes mellitus
Glycosuria
Name the condition:
Substance: Proteins
Possible causes:
- Nonpathological: Physical exertion, pregnancy
- Pathological: Glomerulonephritis, hypertension
proteinuria
Name the condition:
Substance: Pus
Possible causes: Urinary tract infection
Pyuria
Name the condition:
Substance: RBCs
Possible causes: Bleeding in the urinary tract (due to trauma, kidney stones, infection)
Hematuria
Name the condition:
Substance: Hemoglobin
Possible causes: Various: Transfusion reaction, hemolytic anemia
Hemoglobinuria
Name the condition:
Substance: Hemoglobin
Possible causes: Various: Transfusion reaction, hemolytic anemia
Hemoglobinuria
Name the condition:
Substance: Bile
Possible causes: Liver disease (hepatitis)
Bilirubinuria
two slender tubes each 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches) long and 6 mm (¼ inch) in diameter.
Ureters
The superior end of each ureter is continuous with the _____
Renal pelvis
carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder
Ureters
Play an active role in urine transport
Ureters
Smooth muscle layers in their walls contract to propel urine by
peristalsis
When urine becomes extremely concentrated, solutes such as uric acid salts form crystals that precipitate in the renal pelvis. These crystals are called
Renal calculi or kidney stones
a noninvasive procedure that uses ultrasound waves to shatter the calculi
lithotripsy
a smooth, collapsible, muscular sac that stores urine temporarily
Urinary bladder
Three openings in the interior of the bladder
two ureter openings (ureteral orifices)
single opening of the urethra (internal urethral orifice)
which opening drains the bladder
single opening of the urethra (internal urethral orifice)
The smooth triangular region of the bladder base outlined by these three openings is called the
trigone
The __________ is important clinically because infections tend to persist in this region
trigone
The ______ is important clinically because infections tend to persist in this region.
trigone
In males, the ____ (part of the male reproductive system) surrounds the neck of the bladder where it empties into the urethra.
prostate
The bladder wall contains three layers of smooth muscle, collectively called the
detrusor muscle
The bladder wall has mucosa that is a special type of epithelium called
transitional epithelium
A moderately full bladder is about ____ long and holds about _____ of urine
12.5 cm
500 ml
a thin-walled tube that carries urine by peristalsis from the bladder to the outside of the body
urethra
an involuntary sphincter that keeps the urethra closed when urine is not being passed
internal urethral spincter
At the bladder-urethra junction, a thickening of the smooth muscle forms the
internal urethral sphincter
formed by skeletal muscle as the urethra passes through the pelvic floor
external urethral sphincter
In men, the urethra is approximately 20 cm (8 inches) long and has threenamed regions namely:
the prostatic, membranous, and spongy urethrae
What is the double function of the male’s urethra?
It carries both urine and sperm from the body but never at the same time
Function of the urethra in female
Conduct urine from the bladder to the body exterior
Inflammation of the urethra
Urethritis
Bladder inflammation
Cystitis
Kidney inflammation
Pyelonephritis
painful urination
dysuria
another term for voiding or urination
micturition
act of emptying the bladder
micturition or voiding
what controls the flow of urine from the bladder?
Both the internal and external urethral sphincters
Impulses transmitted to the sacral region of the spinal cord and then back to the bladder via the ______ cause the bladder to go into reflex contractions
pelvic splanchnic nerves
occurs when a person is unable to voluntarily control the externalsphincter
incontinence
what age is incontinence normal?
children 2 years or younger bc they have not yet gained control over their voluntary sphincter
In this condition, the bladder is unable to expel its contained urine
Urinary retention
Cause of urinary retention in older men is
hyperplasia of the prostate gland
It is a slender flexible drainage tube that if inserted to patients with prolonged urinary retention
Catheter
Three Major factors of the composition of the blood
Diet
Cellular metabolism
Urine output
Other functions of kidneys
• Excreting nitrogen-containing wastes
• Maintaining water balance of the blood
• Maintaining electrolyte balance of the blood
• Ensuring proper blood pH
True or false
Water occupies three main locations within the body, referred to as fluid compartments
True
About two-thirds of body fluid; contained within the living cells
intracellular fluid (ICF)
About two-thirds of body fluid; contained within the living cells
intracellular fluid (ICF)
the remainder; includes all body fluids located outside the cells and includes blood plasma, interstitial fluid (IF), lymph, and transcellular fluid, which includes cerebrospinal and serous fluids, the humors of the eye, and others
extracellular fluid
the driving force for water intake
thirst mechanism
An increase in plasma solute content of only 2 to 3 percent excites highly sensitive cells in the hypothalamus called
osmoreceptors
When the osmoreceptors gets excited, they activate the
hypothalamic thirst center
Reabsorption of water and electrolytes by the kidneys is regulated primarily by
hormones
the hormone that is released in the posterior pituitary when there is a change in blood composition
ADH -antidiuretic hormone
what is the ADH’s main target?
kidney’s collecting ducts
this condition can lead to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances; Affected individuals are always thirsty and have to drink fluids almost continuously to maintain normal fluid balance.
diabetes insipidus
a second hormone that helps to regulate blood composition and blood volume by acting on the kidney; the major factor regulating sodium ion content of the ECF and in the process helps regulate the concentration of other ions
aldosterone
the electrolytes most responsible for osmotic water flow
sodium ions
True or false
Water follows salt
True
Aldosterone is produced by the
adrenal cortex
most important trigger for aldosterone release is the
renin-angiotensin mechanism
consists of a complex of modified smooth muscle cells (JG cells) in the afferent arteriole plus some modified epithelial cells forming part of the distal convoluted tubule
juxtaglomerular apparatus
True or false
When the cells of the JG apparatus are stimulated by low blood pressure in the afferent arteriole or changes in solute content of the filtrate, they respond by releasing the enzyme rennin into the blood
False because the enzyme is renin
Renin initiates the series of reactions that produce ____
angiotensin II
True or False
Angiotensin II in turn acts directly on the blood vessels to cause vasoconstriction (leading to an increase in peripheral resistance) and on the adrenal cortical cells to promote aldosterone release
True
True or false
When pressure drops, baroreceptors in large blood vessels are also excited. These baroreceptors alert sympathetic nervous system centers of the brain to cause vasoconstriction (via release of epinephrine and norepinephrine). However, this neural mechanism’s major focus is blood pressure regulation, not water or electrolyte balance.
True
People with _______ (hypoaldosteronism) have ______ (excrete large volumes of urine) and so lose tremendous amounts of salt and water to urine. As long as adequate amounts of salt and fluids are ingested, people with this condition can avoid problems, but they are constantly teetering on the brink of dehydration.
Addison’s disease;
polyuria
For the cells of the body to function properly, blood pH must be maintained between _________, a very narrow range
7.35 and 7.45
Whenever the pH of arterial blood rises above 7.45, a person is said to have _____
alkalosis
A drop in arterial pH to below 7.35 results in _______
acidosis
Because a pH of 7.0 is neutral, any pH between 7.0 and 7.35 is not acidic, chemically speaking; however, it represents a lower-than-optimal pH for the functioning of most body cells. Therefore, any arterial pH in this range is called __________
physiological acidosis
_______ are systems of one or two molecules that act to prevent dramatic changes in the hydrogen ion concentration when acids or bases are added
Chemical buffers
what will chemical buffers do when the ph drops
by binding to hydrogen ions
what will chemical buffers do when ph rises
by releasing hydrogen ions
the first line of defense in resisting pH changes
chemical buffers
The three major chemical buffer systems of the body are
the bicarbonate, phosphate, and protein buffer systems
The third set develop onto functional kidneys, at what month does the fetus start excreting urine?
By the third month of fetal life
a degenerative condition that appears to run in families
adult polycystic kidney disease
a degenerative condition that appears to run in families
adult polycystic kidney disease
One or both kidneys enlarge, sometimes to the size of a football, and have many blisterlike sacs (cysts) containing urine
Adult polycystic kidney disease
Eventual outcome on adult polycystic kidney disease
Renal failure
True or false
In the rarer, infantile form of the adult polycystic kidney disease, the kidney has blind pouches into which the filtrate flows, totally blocking drainage. The disease progresses rapidly, resulting in death by 2 years of age.
True
is a condition found in male babies only. It occurs when the urethral orifice is located on the ventral surface of the penis. Corrective surgery is generally done when the child is around 12 months old.
Hypospadias
By__ months, most toddlers are aware when they have voided
15
By ___ months they can hold urine in their bladder for about 2 hours, which is the first sign that potty training can begin.
18
first __ months, a newborn baby voids from 5 to 40 times per day, depending on fluid intake
2
Complete nighttime control usually does not occur before the child is ___ years old
4
normal residents of the digestive tract and generally cause no problems there, but they act as pathogens (disease-causing agents) in the sterile environment of the urinary tract and account for 80 percent of urinary tract infections.
Escherichia coli or E. coli
A common sequel to untreated childhood strep infections is _______, in which the glomerular filters become clogged with antigen-antibody complexes resulting from the strep infection
glomerulonephritis
True or false
By age 70, the rate of filtrate formation is only about half that of the middle-aged adult. This is believed to result from impaired renal circulation due to atherosclerosis, which affects the entire circulatory system of the aging person.
True
a feeling that it is necessary to void
Urgency
frequent voiding of small amounts of urine
Frequency
True or False
Urgency and frequency is the symptoms of bladder shrinkage and loss of bladder tone
True
True or False
Urgency and frequency is the symptoms of bladder shrinkage and loss of bladder tone
True
the need to get up during the night to urinate
Nocturia
is the final outcome of the aging process
incontinence
Another common problem in aging process; result of hypertrophy of the prostate gland in males
Urine retention
Another common problem in aging process; result of hypertrophy of the prostate gland in males
Urine retention
