Urinary system pathology

Question 1

Nephron

Answer 1

The functional unit of the kidney

Kidneys contain 1 million nephrons

Filter waste and reabsorb water and nutrients

Question 2

Unilateral renal agenesis

Answer 2

A rare congenital anomaly in which only one kidney forms

Question 3

Supernumerary kidney

Answer 3

A rare anomaly in which a small, rudimentary third kidney forms. Functions normally, but prone to infections and removal.

Question 4

Hypoplastic kidney

Answer 4

Appears as a miniature replica of a normal kidney, with good function. Ultrasound

Question 5

Malrotation

Answer 5

Rotation on the longitudinal or horizontal axis; asymptomatic

Question 6

Ectopic kidney

Answer 6

Abnormal position, such as in the pelvis (pelvic kidney) or high near the diaphragm (intrathoracic kidney)

Question 7

Crossed ectopic

Answer 7

Lies on the same side as the normal kidney and is very commonly fused.

Question 8

Horseshoe fusion

Answer 8

Kidneys fused at the lower poles

The most common fusion anomaly

Question 9

Complete fusion

Answer 9

A rare anomaly that produces a single irregular mass

Has no resemblance to a renal structure

Varied names-Disk, cake, lump, and doughnut kidney

Question 10

Duplication (duplex kidney)

Answer 10

A common anomaly that varies from a bifid pelvis to a completely double pelvis, ureter, and ureterovesical orifice.

Complete duplication can be complicated by an obstruction or by vesicoureteral reflux with infection

Question 11

Ureterocele

Answer 11

Cystic dilatation of the distal ureter near its insertion into the bladder

Two types: simple (adult) and ectopic are found more in infants and children. Ectopic is commonly associated with ureteral duplication.

Question 12

Posterior urethral valves

Answer 12

Thin transverse membranes in the urethra

Found in males

Bladder outlet obstruction

Question 13

Glomerulonephritis

Answer 13

A nonsuppurative inflammatory process involving the tufts of capillaries that filter the blood within the kidney

Caused by a chronic autoimmune disorder

Causes oliguria-smaller than normal urine output

Question 14

Pyelonephritis

Answer 14

Suppurative inflammation of the kidney and renal pelvis

Caused by a pyogenic bacteria

Affects interstitial tissue between the tubules

Only affects one kidney most of the time.

Originates in the bladder

Common in women and children

Question 15

Cystitis

Answer 15

Inflammation of the urinary bladder

Most common nosocomial infection

Most common in women due to shorter urethra

Question 16

Urinary calculi

Answer 16

Most commonly form in the kidney

Asymptomatic until they lodge in the ureter and cause partial obstruction

Causes pain in the kidney to the groin

Question 17

Glomerulus

Answer 17

A tuft of capillaries with very thin walls and a large surface area

Question 18

Bowman capsule

Answer 18

A fluid that is equivalent to plasma containing neither protein nor red blood cells

Question 19

Proximal convoluted tubule

Answer 19

Large amounts of water and nutrients are reabsorbed into the blood capillaries surrounding the tubules

Question 20

Vesicoureteral reflux

Answer 20

Backward flow of urine (contrast during a cystogram exam) from the bladder, up the ureters, and potentially into the kidneys.