Genitourinary System - Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to the genitourinary system, including anatomy, common diseases, diagnostic markers, and major syndromes.

Nephron

Functional unit of the kidney; filters blood, reabsorbs water, electrolytes, and nutrients, and secretes wastes.

Glomerulus

Capillary network where blood filtration begins in the nephron.

Bowman’s capsule

Cup-shaped structure surrounding the glomerulus that collects filtrate.

Proximal tubule

Nephron segment where most reabsorption of water, ions, and nutrients occurs.

Loop of Henle

Nephron segment that creates a medullary gradient; descending limb reabsorbs water, ascending limb reabsorbs Na+, K+, and Cl−.

Distal tubule

Segment where regulated reabsorption and secretion occur; influenced by hormones.

Collecting duct

Final site for regulated water and electrolyte reabsorption before urine exit.

Erythropoietin

Kidney-produced hormone that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow.

Renin

Enzyme from juxtaglomerular cells that initiates the RAAS cascade to raise blood pressure.

Vitamin D activation (calcitriol)

Kidneys convert vitamin D to its active form calcitriol, aiding calcium absorption.

Urine pH

Normal urine pH around 5–6; extremes can reflect kidney, lung, or dietary factors.

Urine specific gravity

Measurement of urine concentration; low suggests overhydration, high suggests dehydration or kidney disease.

Proteinuria

Presence of protein in urine, indicating kidney damage or disease.

Glycosuria

Glucose in urine; indicates diabetes or poor blood sugar control.

Ketones in urine

Ketones indicate fat metabolism; can signal uncontrolled diabetes or starvation.

Hematuria

Blood in urine; may indicate kidney stones, infection, or injury.

Nitrite (urine)

Positive nitrite suggests bacterial infection (UTI) due to nitrate reduction.

Leukocyte esterase

Enzyme from white blood cells; positive indicates infection/inflammation of the urinary tract.

Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones)

Formation of stones in the kidney; often calcium-based (oxalate/phosphate) and related to dehydration.

Calcium-based stones (oxalate/phosphate)

Most common type of kidney stone; related to diet and fluid intake.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)

Noninvasive treatment that fragments kidney stones using shock waves.

Hydration and dietary prevention for stones

Increase fluids; reduce dietary oxalate and sodium; moderate animal protein; calcium-rich foods may prevent stone formation by binding oxalate.

Urinary incontinence

Involuntary leakage of urine; often a sign of underlying urinary tract dysfunction.

Stress incontinence

Leakage with coughing, sneezing, or laughing; often due to pelvic floor weakness; treated with Kegel exercises.

Urge incontinence (overactive bladder)

Leakage with a sudden urge to void; may include nocturia and frequency.

Overflow incontinence

Leakage when bladder capacity is exceeded; often due to obstruction or weak detrusor muscle.

Functional incontinence

Incontinence due to impaired mobility or ability to reach a toilet, not due to bladder control.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Infection of the urinary tract; bacteria ascend from the urethra to the bladder; common cause: E. coli.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Gram-negative bacterium; the most common cause of UTIs.

Pyelonephritis

Infection/inflammation of the renal parenchyma; often ascends from the lower urinary tract; fever, CVA tenderness, N/V.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

Inherited or acquired condition with fluid-filled cysts in kidneys; leads to nephron loss and hypertension.

Autosomal-dominant PKD (ADPKD)

Most common inherited PKD; PKD1 mutations; typically presents in adulthood; associated with HTN and risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

PKD1 gene

Gene mutation commonly implicated in ADPKD.

PKHD1 gene

Gene mutation causing autosomal recessive PKD; usually presents in infancy.

Nephronophthisis/Medullary cystic kidney disease

Juvenile cystic kidney diseases with small kidneys and medullary cysts; polyuria/polydipsia.

Simple PKD

PKD with cysts that typically do not impair renal function; more common in older adults.

Acquired PKD

PKD associated with ESRD in long-term dialysis; may have hematuria; cysts may form in dialysis patients.

Diagnostic criteria for PKD

Ultrasound showing 3 or more kidney cysts confirms the diagnosis.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Rapid onset kidney failure over hours to days; impaired waste removal and fluid/electrolyte balance; three categories.

Prerenal AKI

AKI due to decreased renal perfusion (hypovolemia, heart failure); BUN/Cr ratio elevated (often 15:1 or 20:1); FE Na low.

Intrarenal (Intrinsic) AKI

AKI from damage inside the kidney (e.g., ATN from ischemia or nephrotoxins); inflammation or glomerulonephritis.

Postrenal AKI

AKI from obstruction of urine outflow (ureter, bladder, or urethra); causes include stones, BPH, tumors.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Gradual, irreversible loss of kidney function; GFR <60 for 3 months indicates kidney damage; albuminuria is a damage marker.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

Rate at which filtrate is formed in the glomeruli; key measure of kidney function.

Albuminuria

Albumin in urine; marker of kidney damage.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD)

Most severe CKD stage where kidneys fail to meet body needs; requires dialysis or transplantation.

CKD Stage 1

GFR ≥90 with evidence of kidney damage; mild damage, may have albuminuria.

CKD Stage 2

GFR 60–89; mild loss of kidney function.

CKD Stage 3a

GFR 45–59; mild to moderate loss of kidney function.

CKD Stage 3b

GFR 30–44; moderate to severe loss of function.

CKD Stage 4

GFR 15–29; severe loss of function.

CKD Stage 5

GFR <15; kidney failure; typically ESRD.