Renal System Overview

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the renal system.

Kidneys

Organs responsible for filtering blood, regulating fluid balance, electrolytes, and waste excretion.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtration and production of urine.

Glomerulus

A network of capillaries within the nephron where blood is filtered.

Tubular Reabsorption

The process in the nephron where water and essential substances are reabsorbed into the bloodstream.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Hormone that regulates water reabsorption in the kidneys, affecting urine concentration.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

Hormonal system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Abrupt decline in kidney function, leading to an imbalance of fluids and waste excretion.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Progressive loss of kidney function over time, often due to diabetes or hypertension.

End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

Final stage of chronic kidney disease where kidneys can no longer maintain metabolic balance.

Electrolyte Imbalance

Disruption in the normal levels of electrolytes such as Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Cl- in the body.

Uremia

Toxic condition resulting from the accumulation of waste products in the blood due to inadequate kidney function.

Hemodialysis

A dialysis treatment that filters blood through a dialyzer to remove waste and excess fluid.

Peritoneal Dialysis

A dialysis method that uses the peritoneum in the abdomen as a membrane to filter waste from blood.

Vitamin D Activation

The conversion of vitamin D to its active form in the kidneys, essential for calcium regulation.

Erythropoietin

Hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow.

Anemia

A condition commonly seen in CKD patients, characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin.

Dialysis Complications

Adverse effects that can arise from dialysis treatments, including hypotension, cramping, and infection.