urinary_system

Urinary system

System responsible for disposing waste products in urine.

Nitrogenous wastes

Waste products including urea, uric acid, and creatinine.

Renin

Hormone produced by kidneys to help maintain blood pressure.

Erythropoietin

Hormone produced by kidneys to stimulate red blood cell production.

Vitamin D conversion

Kidneys convert vitamin D to its active form.

Retroperitoneal position

The location of the kidneys behind the parietal peritoneum.

Renal hilum

Medial indentation where structures enter or exit the kidney.

Fibrous capsule

Protective layer that encloses each kidney.

Perirenal fat capsule

Surrounds the kidney, providing cushioning against blows.

Renal fascia

Superficial layer that anchors the kidney to surrounding structures.

Renal cortex

Outer region of the kidney.

Renal medulla

Deeper region of the kidney containing renal pyramids.

Renal pyramids

Triangular regions of tissue in the renal medulla.

Renal columns

Extensions of cortex that separate the renal pyramids.

Renal pelvis

Flat, funnel-shaped tube that collects urine.

Calyces

Cup-shaped drains that enclose renal pyramids.

Renal artery

Provides kidneys with arterial blood supply.

Renal vein

Returns blood to the inferior vena cava from the kidneys.

Nephrons

Structural and functional units of the kidneys.

Renal corpuscle

Contains glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule for filtration.

Glomerulus

A knot of capillaries, part of the renal corpuscle.

Podocytes

Cells that make up the inner layer of the glomerular capsule.

Filtration slits

Porous membranes ideal for filtration found in the glomerulus.

Renal tubule

Extends from glomerular capsule to collecting duct.

Proximal convoluted tubule

First segment of the renal tubule, involved in reabsorption.

Nephron loop

Loop of Henle, part of the renal tubule.

Distal convoluted tubule

Final segment of the renal tubule before urine enters the collecting duct.

Juxtamedullary nephrons

Nephrons at the cortex-medulla junction, important for concentration.

Peritubular capillary bed

Capillaries adapted for absorption instead of filtration.

Urine formation

Result of glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, and tubular secretion.

Glomerular filtration

Passive process where water and small solutes are filtered from blood into the capsule.

Tubular reabsorption

Process where useful substances are reabsorbed from renal tubules back into blood.

Tubular secretion

Process where substances are secreted from blood into renal tubules to be eliminated.

Nitrogenous waste excretion

Waste products that are poorly reabsorbed and remain in filtrate.

Urochrome

Pigment responsible for the yellow color of urine.

Detrusor muscle

Three layers of smooth muscle in the wall of the urinary bladder.

Trigone

Triangular region at the base of the urinary bladder.

Micturition

Voiding or emptying of the urinary bladder.

Electrolyte balance

Regulation of ionic substances in the blood by the kidneys.

ADH

Antidiuretic hormone that increases water reabsorption in the kidneys.

Aldosterone

Hormone that regulates sodium and potassium levels, and blood pressure.

Acid-base balance

Maintenance of stable blood pH by kidneys and buffer systems.

Bicarbonate buffer system

System that helps maintain pH by neutralizing acids.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Common infections caused by microorganisms, often due to E. coli.

Renal failure

Inability of the kidneys to concentrate urine, requiring dialysis.

Urinary retention

Inability to completely void urine, often related to prostate issues.

Urinary bladder

Hollow muscular organ that stores urine until micturition.