HOSA: Urinary System

acute glomerulonephritis

An inflammation and swelling of the glomeruli of the kidneys. Normally follows a streptococcal bacterial infection of the throat or skin.

glomerulus

A tiny ball of microscopic blood vessels on the end of the renal tubules.

chronic glomerulonephritis

A slowly progressive, noninfectious disease that can lead to irreversible renal damage and renal failure. Results in inflammation follows by progressive destruction of the glomeruli.

oliguria

Scanty urination.

azotemia

An excess of urea or other nitrogenous bodies in the blood.

creatinine

An important nitrogen compound that is a normal constituent of urine and blood; increased levels may indicate renal damage.

nephrotic syndrome (nephrosis)

A disease of the basement membrane of the glomerulus. Encompasses a group of symptoms sometimes referred to as the protein-losing kidney.

acute renal failure

A sudden and severe reduction in renal function. Occurs when nitrogenous waste products begin to accumulate in the blood quickly.

nephrotoxic

A quality of being destructive to kidney tissue.

chronic renal failure

Results from the gradual and progressive loss of nephrons, with irreversible loss of renal function and gradual onset of uremia. The systemic effects eventually can be manifested in any and all body systems.

pyelonephritis

The most common type of renal disease. An inflammation of the renal pelvis and connective tissues of one or both kidneys.

hydronephrosis

An abnormal dilation of the renal pelvis caused by pressure from urine that cannot flow past an obstruction in the urinary tract.

renal calculi

Stones in the kidney or elsewhere in the urinary tract formed by the concentration of various mineral salts.

lithotripsy

A procedure that breaks apart the stones, thus allowing the small particles to flush out of the body naturally.

cystitis

Inflammation of the urinary bladder.

urethritis

Inflammation of the urethra.

diabetic nephropathy

Refers to the renal changes resulting from diabetes mellitus, a systemic endocrine disease caused by failure of the pancreas to release enough insulin into the body.

glomerulosclerosis

Hardening of the renal glomerulus.

polycystic kidney disease

A slowly progressive and irreversible disorder in which normal renal tissue is replaced with multiple grapelike cysts. Eventually, the kidneys become grossly enlarged, with compression of surrounding tissue leading to impaired renal function and renal failure.

neurogenic bladder

A dysfunction of the urinary bladder that consists of difficulty in emptying the bladder or urinary incontinence.

stress incontinence

The uncontrollable leakage of urine from the urinary bladder during physical exertion or actions that stress the pelvic muscles, such as laughing, sneezing, coughing, lifting, stretching, or running.

renal cell carcinoma

A condition in which one or more malignant tumors develop in one or more kidneys.

nephrectomy

The surgical removal of a kidney.