CH 14 Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms regarding normal structure and function, disorders, diagnosis and treatment, and surgery of the urinary system.

antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

A hormone released from the pituitary gland that causes water reabsorption in the kidneys, thus concentrating the urine

angiotensin

A substance that increases blood pressure; activated in the blood by renin, an enzyme produced by the kidneys

calyx

A cup-like cavity in the pelvis of the kidney; also calix (plural: calices) (roots: cali/o, calic/o)

diuresis

Excretion of urine; usually meaning increased urinary excretion

diuretic

A substance that increases the excretion of urine; pertaining to diuresis

erythropoietin (EPO)

A hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow

glomerular capsule

The cup-shaped structure at the beginning of the nephron that surrounds the glomerulus and receives material filtered out of the blood; Bowman (BO-man) capsule

glomerular filtrate

The fluid and dissolved materials that filter out of the blood and enter the nephron through the glomerular capsule

glomerulus

The cluster of capillaries within the glomerular capsule (plural: glomeruli) (root: glomerul/o)

kidney

An organ of excretion (roots: ren/o, nephr/o); the two kidneys filter the blood and form urine, which contains metabolic waste products and other substances as needed to regulate the water, electrolyte, and pH balance of body fluids

micturition

The voiding of urine; urination

nephron

A microscopic functional unit of the kidney; working with blood vessels, the nephron filters the blood and balances the composition of urine

renal cortex

The kidney's outer portion; contains portions of the nephrons

renal medulla

The kidney's inner portion; contains portions of the nephrons and ducts that transport urine toward the renal pelvis

renal pelvis

The expanded upper end of the ureter that receives urine from the kidney (Greek root pyel/o means "basin")

renal pyramid

A triangular structure in the renal medulla; composed of the nephrons' loops and collecting ducts

renin

An enzyme produced by the kidneys that activates angiotensin in the blood

trigone

A triangle at the base of the bladder formed by the openings of the two ureters and the urethra

tubular reabsorption

The return of substances from the glomerular filtrate to the blood through the peritubular capillaries

urea

The main nitrogenous (nitrogen-containing) waste product in the urine

ureter

The tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder (root: ureter/o)

urethra

The duct that carries urine out of the body and also transports semen in the male (root: urethr/o)

urinary bladder

The organ that stores and eliminates urine excreted by the kidneys (roots: cyst/o, vesic/o)

urination

The voiding of urine; micturition

urine

The fluid excreted by the kidneys; it consists of water, electrolytes, urea, other metabolic wastes, and pigments; a variety of other substances may appear in urine in cases of disease (root: ur/o)

acidosis

Excessive acidity of body fluids

bacteriuria

Presence of bacteria in the urine

cast

A solid mold of a renal tubule found in the urine

cystitis

Inflammation of the urinary bladder, usually as a result of infection

dysuria

Painful or difficult urination

glomerulonephritis

Inflammation of the kidney, primarily involving the glomeruli; the acute form usually occurs after an infection elsewhere in the body; the chronic form varies in cause and usually leads to renal failure

hematuria

Presence of blood in the urine

hydronephrosis

Collection of urine in the renal pelvis caused by obstruction; results in distention and renal atrophy

hypokalemia

Deficiency of potassium in the blood

hyponatremia

Deficiency of sodium in the blood

hypoproteinemia

Decreased amount of protein in the blood; may be caused by kidney damage resulting in protein loss

hyperkalemia

Excess amount of potassium in the blood

hypernatremia

Excess amount of sodium in the blood

nephrotic syndrome

Condition that results from glomerular damage leading to loss of protein in the urine (proteinuria); there is low plasma protein (hypoproteinemia), edema, and increased blood lipids as the liver releases lipoproteins; also called nephrosis

oliguria

Elimination of small amounts of urine

proteinuria

Presence of protein, mainly albumin, in the urine

pyelonephritis

Inflammation of the renal pelvis and kidney, usually caused by infection

pyuria

Presence of pus in the urine

renal colic

Radiating pain in the region of the kidney associated with the passage of a stone

renal failure

Loss of kidney function resulting from loss or damage to the kidney nephrons. May be chronic, developing over time, or acute, as a result of sudden damage, as by injury, shock, or toxins

uremia

Presence of toxic levels of urea and other nitrogenous substances in the blood as a result of renal insufficiency

urethritis

Inflammation of the urethra, usually due to infection

urinary stasis

Stoppage of urine flow; urinary stagnation

catheterization

Introduction of a tube into a passage, such as through the urethra into the bladder for withdrawal of urine

cystoscope

An instrument for examining the interior of the urinary bladder; also used for removing foreign objects, for surgery, and for other forms of treatment

dialysis

Separation of substances by passage through a semipermeable membrane; dialysis is used to rid the body of unwanted substances when the kidneys are impaired or missing; the two forms of dialysis are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis

hemodialysis

Removal of unwanted substances from the blood by passage through a semipermeable membrane

intravenous pyelography (IVP)

Intravenous urography

intravenous urography (IVU)

Radiographic visualization of the urinary tract after intravenous administration of a contrast medium that is excreted in the urine; also called excretory urography or intravenous pyelography, although the latter is less accurate because the procedure shows more than just the renal pelvis

lithotripsy

Crushing of a stone

peritoneal dialysis

Removal of unwanted substances from the body by introduction of a dialyzing fluid into the peritoneal cavity followed by removal of the fluid

retrograde pyelography

Pyelography in which the contrast medium is injected into the kidneys from below by way of the ureters

specific gravity (SG)

The weight of a substance compared with the weight of an equal volume of water; the specific gravity of normal urine ranges from $1.015$ to $1.025$; this value may increase or decrease with disease

urinalysis (UA)

Laboratory study of the urine; physical and chemical properties and microscopic appearance are included

cystectomy

Surgical removal of all or part of the urinary bladder

ileal conduit

Diversion of urine by connection of the ureters to an isolated segment of the ileum; one end of the segment is sealed, and the other drains through an opening in the abdominal wall; a procedure used when the bladder is removed or nonfunctional; also called ileal bladder

lithotomy

Incision of an organ to remove a stone (calculus)

renal transplantation

Surgical implantation of a donor kidney into a patient