Urinary System Flashcards
function of urinary system
Regulate extracellular fluids (plasma, lymph) of the body by removing a variety of harmful substances while retaining useful products.
harmful substances to urinary system
Nitrogenous wastes.
Electrolytes (Na, K, Ca).
kidneys- where are they located and what does it look like
One pair.
Each, size of a fist.
Located in abdominal cavity, below waistline.
Kidney-bean-like shape.
2 sections of kidneys
Renal cortex (outer portion).
Renal medulla (middle portion). Contains portions of the microscopic filtering units of kidney, called nephrons.
nephron
1 million microscopic nephrons in each kidney.
Responsible for maintaining homeostasis by regulating amount of water, salts, glucose, urea & other minerals.
Substances removed are: nitrogenous wastes, including urea, uric acid, creatinine from protein metabolism.
Also remove: Excess electrolytes and other products that exceed tolerance levels by the body.
Contains many structures for filtration.
Each nephron is composed of a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule.
Renal corpuscle composed of a tuft of capillaries called glomerulus. Site of much filtration.
hilium (hilus)
Opening in the medial border of each kidney.
Allows passage of the renal artery and vein.
renal artery and vein
Renal artery carries blood containing waste products to the nephrons for filtering.
Renal vein carries blood that has been filtered away from the kidneys and back to the body.
renal pelvis
Hollow, funnel-shaped chamber.
Extension of the ureter, where ureter meets kidney.
renal pyramids
Transportsurine from the outer, part of the kidney, where urine is produced, to the calyces to enter the renal pelvis to leave the kidney
renal columns
Allows the cortex to be better anchored
Each column consists of lines of blood vessels and urinary tubes
urter
Slender tube from each kidney.
10-12 inches long.
Carries urine from kidneys to bladder.
Enters back base of bladder.
urinary bladder
Expandable, hollow, organ.
Temporary reservoir for urine.
urethra
Tube that discharges urine from the bladder.
1.5 inches long in women.
7-8 inches long in men.
In male, urethra passes through the prostate gland & penis.
cystitis
Aka: Bladder Infection or Urinary Tract Infection.
Cause: Bacteria.
S&S: Fever, chills, painful urination, blood in urine.
Tx: Antibiotics, drink lots of fluids.
Prevention: Women wipe front to back, urinate after intercourse; good hygiene, good diet, drink lots of water.
pyelonephritis
Aka: Kidney Infection or Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection.
Most common form of kidney disease.
Cause: Bacteria; often from untreated bladder infection.
S&S: Fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, blood in urine, back pain.
Urinalysis reveals: Bacteriuria, pyuria, and hematuria.
Tx: Antibiotics
nephrolithiasis
Formation of stones in the urinary tract.
Most commonly found in kidneys.
Form when dissolved urine salts solidify.
S&S: Pain, difficulty urinating, blood in urine, nausea, vomiting.
Tx: ESWL (extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy) – Stones are pulverized by concentrated ultrasound waves, or sound waves directed at the stones.
Tx: Surgical removal of stone.
bladder neck obstruction
Any blockage of the bladder outlet.
Causes: Enlarged prostate gland, masses, stones, blood clots, tumours.
S&S: Bladder distension, cystitis; need to void, but can only void small quantities.
Tx: Surgery to remove, or relieve blockage.
anuria
Absence of urine production or urinary output.
dysuria
Painful or difficult urination.
enuresis
Involuntary discharge of urine. Aka: Incontinence.
nocturia
Excessive or frequent urination after going to bed.
oliguria
Diminished ability to form & pass urine so that the end products of metabolism cannot be excreted efficiently.
wilms tumour
Malignant neoplasm of the kidney. Usually occurs in children. Rapidly developing. S&S: Painful urination, electrolyte imbalance, pain in back; many S&S throughout body. Tx: Surgery, chemo, radiation. Early tx is critical.
chronic renal failure
Kidney failure that occurs over a period of years.
Due to decreased numbers of functioning nephrons in the kidneys.
Tx: Hemodialysis = Removal of toxic substances from the blood by shunting blood from the body through a semipermeable membranous tube, and returning the cleansed blood back to the body.