Urinary System & Related Disorders – Vocabulary Review

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key urinary‐system structures, reflexes, drugs, and disorders discussed in the lecture.

Diuresis

The process of producing a large volume of urine.

Diuretic

Any substance (drug or beverage) that promotes diuresis by decreasing water reabsorption in the nephrons.

Peristalsis (in ureters)

Wave-like contractions of circular smooth muscle that propel urine from the renal pelvis to the bladder.

Ureter

One of two muscular tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder via peristalsis.

Transitional Epithelium

Stretchable epithelial lining found in the ureters and bladder lumen; thickens and thins as the organ expands or contracts.

Urinary Bladder

Hollow muscular organ that stores urine; suspended by ligaments and lined with mucosa and detrusor muscle.

Detrusor Muscle

Specialized smooth muscle layer of the bladder wall responsible for forceful contraction during urination.

Rugae (of bladder)

Folds or pleats in the bladder’s mucosal lining that allow the organ to expand without tearing.

Internal Urethral Sphincter

Involuntary smooth muscle ring at the bladder outlet that helps retain urine.

External Urethral Sphincter

Voluntary skeletal muscle ring below the internal sphincter; learned control during potty training.

External Urethral Meatus

The external opening of the urethra through which urine exits the body.

Guarding Reflex

Bladder-filling reflex in which stretch receptors signal the brain yet sphincters remain closed, delaying voiding.

Micturition Reflex

Coordinated response involving the pons that causes detrusor contraction and relaxation of both urethral sphincters to allow urination.

Furosemide (Lasix)

Loop diuretic that blocks sodium reabsorption in the ascending limb, increasing water excretion.

Thiazide Diuretics

Drugs acting on the distal convoluted tubule to keep sodium—and thus water—in the tubule, raising urine output.

Spironolactone

Potassium-sparing diuretic that antagonizes aldosterone, reducing sodium and water reabsorption.

Acute Cystitis

Bladder infection (UTI) often caused by E. coli; symptoms include frequency, burning, urgency, and possible hematuria.

Cranberry Juice Effect

Inhibits bacterial adhesion to the bladder wall, helping prevent (not treat) urinary tract infections.

Urinary Incontinence

Inability to voluntarily control urination; may stem from trauma, pregnancy, or neurologic disease and is worsened by caffeine, carbonation, artificial sweeteners, or spicy foods.

Nephrolithiasis (Kidney Stones)

Formation of calcium, magnesium, or uric-acid crystals in the kidney that can cause severe pain when traveling through the ureter.

Renal Failure

Loss of kidney function affecting fluid balance, pH, metabolism, and more; commonly linked to hypertension and diabetes.

Dialysis

External mechanical filtration of blood that removes wastes and excess ions, functioning as an artificial kidney.

Hypertension & Kidneys

Elevated blood pressure increases glomerular pressure, accelerating kidney damage and contributing to renal failure.

Glomerulonephritis

Inflammation of the glomeruli due to deposition of antigen–antibody complexes after infection, leading to impaired filtration.

Antigen–Antibody Complex

Large immune complex that can lodge in filtration membranes, triggering glomerular inflammation.