Renal, Digestive, & Reproductive Systems Flashcards

Flashcards for Renal, Digestive, and Reproductive Systems

Afferent arterioles

Blood vessel that supplies blood directly to renal corpuscles.

Juxtaglomerular apparatus

A specialized structure in the nephron that regulates blood pressure and filtration rate.

Macula densa cells

Found in the distal convoluted tubule; they detect sodium concentration in filtrate.

Granular/juxtaglomerular cells

Located in the afferent arterioles; they secrete renin to regulate blood pressure.

Ureters

Run retroperitoneally.

Peristalsis

The process of forceful movement of urine to the bladder.

Trigone

A triangular area in the bladder formed by the openings of the ureters and urethra.

Male urethra

Longer, passes through the prostate, carries semen and urine.

Female urethra

Shorter, only carries urine, more prone to infection.

Urinalysis

Measures the presence of substances like glucose, ketones, proteins, and blood cells in urine.

Glucose in urine

May indicate diabetes mellitus or kidney dysfunction.

Ketones in urine

May indicate starvation, diabetes mellitus, or excessive fat metabolism.

Plasma clearance test / Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)

Measures the rate at which substances are cleared from the plasma by the kidneys.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Increases water reabsorption in the kidneys to concentrate urine and reduce water loss.

Aldosterone

Increases sodium and water reabsorption, raising blood pressure. Released by adrenal cortex when stimulated by angiotensin II.

Renin

Converts angiotensinogen to angiotensin I, starting the process of increasing blood pressure.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)

Converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor.

Adrenal cortex

Releases aldosterone—it increases sodium retention, constricts arterioles, and enhances ADH secretion.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)

Lowers blood pressure by promoting sodium and water excretion.

Alimentary canal

The continuous muscular tube that processes food, running from the mouth to the anus.

Accessory organ

An organ that aids digestion but is not part of the alimentary canal (e.g., liver, pancreas, gallbladder).

Parietal peritoneum

Lines abdominal wall.

Visceral peritoneum

Covers organs.

Mesentery

Supports and suspends abdominal organs; formed when the peritoneum folds over itself.

Retroperitoneal

An organ found posterior to the mesentery.

Stomach rugae

Allows stomach expansion for food storage and increases surface area.

Hydrochloric acid (HCL)

Breaks down food, activates enzymes, and kills bacteria in the stomach.

Parietal cells

Cells that produce HCL.

Pepsinogen

Inactive precursor to pepsin; necessary for protein digestion in the stomach.

Chief cells

Cells that produce pepsinogen.

Chyme

Partially digested food mixed with gastric secretions.

Small intestine

Main location of nutrient absorption.

Villi, microvilli, and circular folds

Increase surface area for nutrient absorption in the small intestine.

Large intestine

Primary functions are water conservation and synthesis of vitamins B and K by intestinal bacteria.

Insulin

Produced by beta cells in the pancreas; lowers blood sugar.

Glucagon

Produced by alpha cells in the pancreas; raises blood sugar.

Pancreatic enzymes

: Proteases break down proteins, amylases digest carbohydrates, and lipases digest fats.

Type I diabetes mellitus

Autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells.

Type II diabetes mellitus

Insulin resistance due to lifestyle factors.

Gallbladder

Stores and concentrates bile.

Liver

Produces bile for fat digestion.

Bilirubin

A pigment produced from the breakdown of hemoglobin.

Liver (non-digestive functions)

Detoxification, protein synthesis (albumin), and storage of vitamins and minerals.

Common hepatic duct

Carries bile from the liver.

Hepato-pancreatic duct

Delivers bile and pancreatic enzymes to duodenum.

Cystic duct

Transfers bile from gallbladder.

HDL (high-density lipoprotein)

Good cholesterol, removes excess.

LDL (low-density lipoprotein)

Bad cholesterol, can contribute to plaque buildup.

Seminiferous tubules

Coiled structures within the testes where sperm production occurs.

Scrotum

Regulates temperature for optimal sperm production by contracting or relaxing.

Epididymis

Stores and matures sperm before ejaculation.

Ductus (vas) deferens

Transports sperm from the epididymis to the urethra during ejaculation.

Prostate gland

Secretes fluid that enhances sperm motility and neutralizes vaginal acidity.

Seminal glands

Produce fluid rich in fructose to nourish sperm and promote motility.

Bulbourethral glands

Secrete pre-ejaculatory fluid to neutralize acidity in the urethra.

Sustenocytes

Sertoli cells that support and nourish developing sperm in the seminiferous tubules.

Myoid cells

Smooth muscle cells surrounding seminiferous tubules that help move sperm.

Interstitial (Leydig) cells

Cells in the testes that produce testosterone.

Spermatogenesis

The process of sperm cell formation.

Spermiogenesis

The final stage of sperm maturation where they gain mobility and functionality.

Prostaglandins (in semen)

Helps sperm travel by stimulating uterine contractions.

FSH (male reproductive system)

Stimulates sperm production in the seminiferous tubules.

LH (male reproductive system)

Stimulates testosterone production in Leydig cells.

Testosterone

Promotes development of male characteristics and sperm production.

Endometrium

Inner lining of the uterine wall where implantation occurs.

Myometrium

Muscular layer of the uterine wall that contracts during labor.

Perimetrium

Outer protective layer of the uterine wall.

Oogenesis

The process of egg cell development.

Primordial follicle

The earliest stage of an ovarian follicle containing an immature oocyte.

Graafian follicle

A mature follicle that releases an egg during ovulation.

Progesterone (corpus luteum)

Maintains and thickens the uterine lining for possible implantation.

Fertilization

Occurs in the ampulla of the fallopian tube.

Implantation

Occurs in the endometrium of the uterus.

Zygote

A fertilized egg cell.

Blastocyst

The dividing zygote by the time it reaches the uterus.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

A hormone released by the embryo that signals the body to maintain pregnancy.

Placenta

The organ that exchanges nutrients and gases between mother and fetus.

Menstrual Phase (Hormone Levels)

Progesterone and estrogen levels drop, triggering menstruation.

Menstrual Phase (Endometrium)

It sheds, resulting in menstrual bleeding.