physical characteristics of urine

1-2.5 L/day

This is the normal urine output per day.

oliguria

A condition where urine output is less than 400 mL/day.

polyuria

Urine output of more than 2.5 L/day due to increased water ingestion or diabetes.

anuria

A condition where urine output is less than 100 mL/day, often caused by renal shut down.

urochrome, urobilin, uroerythrin

A pigment responsible for the pale yellow color of normal urine.

urine cloudiness

due to excessive cellular material, protein, or crystallization of salts.

colorless urine

caused by diabetes or diuretics.

deep yellow urine

caused by concentrated urine, excess bile pigments, or jaundice.

aromatic odor

odor caused by volatile fatty acids.

fruity odor

odor of urine caused by ketonuria.

maple syrup urine disease

A condition characterized by urine that smells like maple syrup.

cystinuria

A condition where urine has a characteristic rotten egg odor.

4.5 to 8

The normal pH range of urine.

Litmus paper, pH paper, dipsticks

A test used to measure the pH of urine.

Acidic urine

caused by conditions like ketosis, systemic acidosis, or UTI (E. coli).

alkaline urine

due to systemic alkalosis or a UTI caused by Proteus.

urinometer, refractometer, dipsticks

An instrument used to measure urine specific gravity.

increased specific gravity

caused by low water intake or diabetes mellitus.

decreased specific gravity

caused by the absence of ADH or renal tubular damage.

1.010

The fixed specific gravity in isosthenuria.

800 mosm/kg

The osmolarity value corresponding to a specific gravity of 1.020

rancid odor

an odor in urine caused by tyrosinaemia.

specific gravity

The measurement of urine density, reflecting the kidney’s ability to concentrate or dilute urine.

foul odor

odor caused by pus or inflammation.

ammoniacal odor

odor caused by decomposition of urea forming ammonia in standing urine.

tyrosinaemia

A condition associated with a rancid odor in urine.

diabetes

A disease causing sweet-smelling urine.