Urinary System Flashcards
arteriole
small artery
calciferol
active form of vitamin D, secreted by the kidney
calyx or calix (plural: calyces or calices)
cup-like collecting region of the renal pelvis
catheter
tube for injecting or removing fluids
cortex
outer region of an organ; the renal cortex is the outer region of the kidney (cortical means pertaining to the cortex)
creatinine
nitrogenous waste secreted in urine. Creatinine clearance is a measure of the efficiency of the kidneys in removing (clearing) creatinine from the blood
electrolyte
chemical element that carries an electrical charge when dissolved in water. Electrolytes are necessary for functioning of muscles and nerve. The kidneys maintain the proper balance of electrolytes and water in the blood. Potassium K+ and sodium Na+ are electrolyte
erythropoietin (EPO)
hormone secreted by the kidney to stimulate the production of red blood cells by bone marrow, -poietin means a substance that forms
filration
process whereby some substances, but not all, pass through a filter
glomerular capsule
enclosing structure surrounding each glomerulus. The glomerular capsule is also known as the Bowman’s capsule and it collects the material that is filtered from the blood through the walls of the glomerulus
glomerulus (plural: glomeruli)
tiny ball of capillaries (microscopic blood vessels) in the kidney
hilum
depression in an organ where blood vessels and nerves enter and leave. Hilum comes from the latin meaning a small thing. It is also used in the respiratory system to mark the depression in the lung where blood vessels, bronchus, and lymphatic vessels enter and leave
kidney
one of the two bean-shaped organs on either side of the backbone in the lumbar region, it filters nitrogenous wastes from the bloodstream to form urine
meatus
opening or canal
medulla
inner region of an organ. The renal medulla is the inner region of the kidney. The medullary cavity in long bones is the innermost part containing red and yellow marrow
