urinary system

terms from the packet

nephrons

nephrons

microscopic functional units of each kidney. urine is produced through the processes of filtration, reabsorption and secretion.

nephrologist

physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the kidneys.

urologist

physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the urinary system of females and the genitourinary system of males.

anuria

the absence of urine formation by the kidneys.

caused by kidney failure or a urinary tract obstruction

benign prostate hyperplasia

benign prostate hypertrophy/enlarged prostate; is an enlargement of the prostate gland that most often occurs in men older than age 50.

this condition can make urination difficult and causes other urinary tract problems for men.

chronic kidney disease

renal disease/kidney failure; progressive loss of renal function over months or years.

this common condition, which can be life-threatening, may result from diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or a family history of kidney diseases.

cystitis

the inflammation of the bladder

cystocele

prolapsed bladder; is a hernia of the bladder through the vaginal wall.

this sometimes occurs as a result of pregnancy or childbirth.

cystolith

stone located within the urinary bladder.

diuresis

increased output of urine.

edema

excessive fluid accumulation in body tissues that can be symptomatic of nephrotic syndrome and other kidney diseases.

occurs around the eyes, abdomen, legs and feet.

end-state renal disease (ESRD)

final stage of chronic kidney disease, and this condition is fatal unless the functions of the failed kidneys are replaced by dialysis, or with a successful kidney transplant.

enuresis

involuntary discharge of urine.

epispadias

congenital abnormality of the urethral opening.

in males → located on upper surface of the penis

in females → located in the region of the clitoris

glomerulonephritis

a type of nephritis caused by inflammation of the glomeruli that causes red blood cells and proteins to leak into the urine.

hydronephrosis

dilation (swelling) of one or both kidneys.

can be caused by problems associated with backing up of the urine due to an obstruction such as nephrolith or stricture in the ureter.

hydroureter

distention (swelling) of the ureter with urine that cannot flow because the ureter is blocked.

hyperproteinuria

the presence of abnormally high concentrations of protein in the urine.

hypoproteinemia

the presence of abnormally low concentrations of protein in the blood.

hypospadias

a congenital abnormality of the urethral opening.

in males → urethral opening is on the ventral surface (underside) of penis

in females → urethra opens into the vagina

incontinence

is the inability to control the excretion of urine, feces, or both.

interstitial cystitis

chronic inflammation within the walls of the bladder.

symptoms are similar to those of cystitis, however it do not respond to traditional treatment.

nephrolith

kidney stones/renal calculus; found in the kidney

nephrolithiasis

describes the presence of stones in the kidney.

named for their location where they become lodged when traveling with the flow of urine.

nephropathy

any disease of the kidneys. this definition includes both degenerative and inflammatory conditions.

nephroptosis

floating kidney; the prolapse, or dropping down, of a kidney into the pelvic area when the patient stands.

nephropyosis

pyonephrosis; suppuration of the kidney.

(formation of discharge or pus)

nephrotic syndrome

(nephrosis) is a group of conditions in which excessive amounts of protein are lost through the urine.

usually caused by damage to glomeruli, results in abnormally low levels of protein in blood.

neurogenic bladder

a urinary problem caused by interference with the normal nerve pathways associated with urination.

normal urinary function depends on nerves to sense bladder fullness.

nocturia

frequent and excessive urination during the night.

nocturnal enuresis

bed wetting; urinary incontinence during sleep

oliguria

scanty urination.

caused by dehydration, renal failure, or a urinary tract obstruction. opposite of polyuria

polycystic kidney disease (PKD)

is a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys.

these cysts, which slowly replace much of the mass of the kidneys, reduce the kidney function, which eventually leads to kidney failure.

polyuria

excessive urination.

common symptom of diabetes mellitus. opposite of oliguria

prostatism

disorder resulting from the compression or obstruction of the urethra due to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

uremia

uremic poisoning; toxic condition resulting from renal failure in which kidney function is compromised and urea and other waste products normally secreted in the urine are retained in the blood.

ureterectasis

the distention (swelling) of a ureter due to hydroureter or congenital abnormalities.

ureterolith

stone located anywhere along the ureter.

ureterorrhagia

the discharge of blood from the ureter

urethritis

an inflammation of the urethra

urethrorrhagia

bleeding from the urethra

urethrostenosis

urethral stricture is narrowing of the urethra.

occurs almost exclusively in men and is caused by scarring from infection or injury.

vesicovaginal fistula

an abnormal opening between the bladder and vagina that allows constant involuntary flow of urine from the bladder into the vagina.

may be caused by prolonged labor during child-birth or surgery such as a hysterectomy.

wilm’s tumor

a rare type of malignant tumor of the kidney that occurs in young children.

there is a high cure rate for this condition when treated promptly.

cystoscopy

the visual examination of the urinary bladder with the use of a specialized type of endoscope known as a cystoscope.

intravenous pyelography

excretory urography; a radiographic study of the kidneys and ureters.

a contrast medium is administered intravenously to clearly define these structures in the resulting image, an intravenous pyelogram (IVP).

urinalysis

an examination of urine to determine the presence of abnormal elements.

urinary catheterization

(diagnostic procedure)

the insertion of a tube into the bladder to procure a sterile specimen for diagnostic purposes.

also used to drain urine from the bladder when a patient is unable to urinate for other reasons.

voiding cystourethrography

a diagnostic procedure in which a fluoroscope is used to examine the flow of urine from the bladder and through the urethra.

cystopexy

the surgical fixation of the bladder to the abdominal wall.

dialysis

a procedure to remove waste products such as creatinine, urea, and excess water from the blood of a patient whose kidneys no longer function.

extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)

is the most common kidney stone treatment.

high energy ultrasonic waves traveling through water or gel are used to break the stones into fragments, which are then excreted in the urine.

hemodialysis

the process by which waste products are filtered directly from the patient’s blood.

nephrolysis

the surgical freeing of a kidney from adhesions.

nephrostomy

the placement of a catheter to maintain an opening from the pelvis of one or both kidneys to the exterior of the body.

percutaneous nephrolithotomy

the surgical removal of a nephrolith through a small incision in the back.

peritoneal dialysis

the lining of the peritoneal cavity acts as the filter to remove waste from the blood.

pyelotomy

the surgical incision into the renal pelvis.

suprapubic catheterization

the placement of a catheter into the bladder through a small incision made through the abdominal wall just above the pubic bone.

renal transplantation

kidney transplant; the grafting of a donor kidney, from either a living or nonliving donor, into the body to replace the recipient’s failed kidneys.

ureterorrhaphy

the surgical suturing of a ureter.

urethroplasty

the surgical repair of damage or a defect in the walls of the urethra.

urethrotomy

the surgical incision into the urethra for relief of a stricture.

urinary catheterization

(treatment procedure)

urinary cathing; performed to withdraw urine for diagnostic purposes, to allow urine to drain freely, or to place a fluid such as a chemotherapy solution into the bladder.