Urinary System Flashcards
antiseptic
a substance that tends to inhibit the growth and reproduction of microorganisms.
arteriole
the smallest branch of an artery
aseptic technique
any health care procedure in which precautions are taken to prevent contamination of a person, object, or area by microorganisms
asymptomatic
without symptoms.
azotemia
the presence of excessive amounts of waste products of metabolism (nitrogenous compounds) in the blood caused by failure of the kidneys to remove urea from the blood. A characteristic of uremia
Bowman’s capsule
the cup-shaped end of a renal tubule containing a glomerulus; also called glomerular capsule
calculus
an abnormal stone formed in the body tissues by an accumulation of mineral salts; usually formed in the gallbladder and kidney; also called renal calculus
calyx
the cup-shaped division of the renal pelvis through which urine passes from the renal tubules
catheter
a hollow, flexible tube that can be inserted into a body cavity or vessel for the purpose of instilling or withdrawing fluid.
cortex
the outer layer of a body organ or structure.
cystometer
an instrument that measures bladder capacity in relation to changing pressure.
cystoscope
an instrument used to view the interior of the bladder. It consists of an outer sheath with a lighting system, a scope for viewing, and a passage for catheters and devices used in surgical procedures; may also be referred to as a “cysto”
dialysate
solution that contains water and electrolytes that passes through the artificial kidney to remove excess fluids and wastes from the blood; also called a “bath”.
dialysis
the process of removing waste products from the blood when the kidneys are unable to do so. Hemodialysis involves passing the blood through an artificial kidney for filtering out impurities. Peritoneal dialysis involves introducing fluid into the abdomen through a catheter. Through the process of osmosis, this fluid draws waste products out of the capillaries into the abdominal cavity. It is then removed from the abdomen via a catheter.
dwell time
length of time the dialysis solution stays in the peritoneal cavity during peritoneal dialysis
fossa
a hollow or depression, especially on the surface of the end of a bone. In kidney transplantation,the donor kidney is surgically placed in the iliac fossa of the recipient.
glomerular filtrate
Substances that filter out of the blood through the thin walls of the glomeruli (e.g., water, sugar, salts, and nitrogenous waste products such as urea, creatinine, and uric acid.
glomerulus
a ball-shaped collection of very tiny coiled and intertwined capillaries, located in the cortex of the kidney.
hilum
the depression, or pit, of an organ where the vessels and nerves enter.
hydrostatic pressure
the pressure exerted by a liquid
hydroureter
the distension of the ureter with urine due to blockage from an obstruction
meatus
an opening or tunnel through any part of the body, as in the urinary meatus, which is the external opening of the urethra.
medulla
the most internal part of a structure or organ
micturition
the act of eliminating urine from the bladder; also called voiding or urination.
nephrolith
a kidney stone; also called renal calculus
nephrolithiasis
a condition of kidney stones; also known as renal calculi
palpable
distinguishable by touch
peritoneum
a specific serous membrane that covers the entire abdominal wall of the body and is reflected over the contained viscera; the inner lining of the abdominal cavity.
peritonitis
inflammation of the peritoneium (the membrane lining the abdominal cavity)
pyelitis
inflammation of the renal pelvis
radiopaque
not permitting the passage of X-rays or other radiant energy. These areas appear white on an exposed X-ray film.
renal artery
one of a pair of large arteries, branching from the abdominal aorta, that supplies blood to the kidneys, adrenal glands, and ureters.
renal calculus
a stone formation in the kidney (plural: renal calculi); also called a nephrolith.
renal pelvis
the central collecting part of the kidney that narrows into the large upper end of the ureter. It receives urine through the calyces and drains it into the ureters.
renal tubule
a long, twisted tube that leads away from the glomerulus of the kidney to the collecting tubules. As the glomerular filtrate passes through the renal tubules, the water, sugar, and salts are reabsorbed into the bloodstream through the network of capillaries that surround them.
renal vein
one of two vessels that carries blood away from the kidney
residual urine
urine that remains in the bladder after urination
solute
a substance dissolved in a solution, as in the waste products filtered out of the kidney into the urine.
specific gravity
the weight of a substance compared with an equal volume of water, which is considered to be standard. Water is considered to have a specific gravity of 1.000 (one). Therefore, a substance with a specific gravity of 2.000 would be twice as dense as water.
toxic
poisonous
turbid
cloudy
uremia
the presence of excessive amounts of urea and other nitrogenous waste products int he blood; also called azotemia
ureter
one of a pair of tubes that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.
urethra
a small tubular structure that drains urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
urethritis
inflammation of the urethra. It is characterized by dysuria, is usually the result of an infection of the bladder or kidneys.
urinary incontinence
inability to control urination; the inability to retain urine in the bladder
urinary retention
an abnormal involuntary accumulation of urine in the bladder; the inability to empty the bladder
urination
the act of eliminating urine from the body; also called micturition or voiding.
urine
the fluid released by the kidneys, transported by the ureters, retained in the bladder, eliminated through the urethra. Normal urine is clear, straw colored, and slightly acid
vesicocele
herniation or downward protrusion of the urinary bladder through the wall of the vagina; also called cystocele.