Urinary, Reproductive, and Fluid Balance Systems

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards reviewing the anatomy, physiology, hormonal control, and clinical balances of the urinary system (Chapter 24), reproductive systems (Chapter 26), and fluid/electrolyte/acid-base regulation (Chapter 25).

Kidneys

A pair of retroperitoneal organs in the lower back behind the abdomen that filter blood, remove nitrogen wastes, extra water, and salts via urine, maintain water/salt balance, control blood pressure, and produce red blood cell signals.

Ureters

A pair of muscular tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder by squeezing urine down using peristalsis muscle movements.

Urinary Bladder

A muscular bag that expands to temporarily store urine until empty.

Urethra

A tube controlled by two sphincters (one automatic, one voluntary) that drains and releases urine out of the body.

Nephron

The kidney's microscopic filtering unit that filters blood at the glomerulus and cleans/adjusts the liquid through small tubules to create urine.

Glomerular Filtration

The first step of urine formation, where fluid and small wastes are filtered out of the blood and into the tubule.

Tubular Reabsorption

The second step of urine formation, which pulls useful items such as water, glucose, and good ions back into the blood.

Tubular Secretion

The third step of urine formation, which pumps extra wastes and ions directly into the urine.

Aldosterone

A hormone that regulates kidney function by saving sodium and water, thereby increasing blood pressure.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hormone that saves water in the body, making urine more concentrated.

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)

A hormone that causes a decrease in sodium and water ($\downarrow$ sodium + water) and lowers blood pressure ($\downarrow$ BP).

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

A hormone acting on the renal system to control calcium balance.

Urine Composition

A liquid waste mixture normally composed of $95\%$ water, metabolic wastes (urea, uric acid, and creatinine), and minerals/ions (sodium, potassium, and chloride).

Testes

Male primary reproductive organs that produce sperm and secrete testosterone.

Scrotum

An external pouch that holds the testes outside the body to keep them cooler for sperm production.

Epididymis

A male reproductive tract structure that stores sperm while they mature.

Vas Deferens

The duct that carries mature sperm from the testes to the urethra.

Male Accessory Glands

Structures consisting of the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands that produce fluids to nourish, protect, and help transport sperm, forming semen.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH in Males)

A pituitary hormone that signals the testes to produce sperm.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH in Males)

A pituitary hormone that signals the testes to synthesize and secrete testosterone.

Testosterone

The principal male sex hormone that grows male sex organs, produces sperm, and drives male secondary traits such as a deeper voice, facial hair, larger muscles, and stronger bones.

Ovaries

Female gonads that produce eggs and synthesize the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Fallopian Tubes

Tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus and serve as the usual site where fertilizing an egg happens.

Uterus (Womb)

A muscular organ where a fertilized egg attaches and grows into a baby.

Vagina

A muscular canal connecting the uterus to the outside of the body that serves as the birth canal.

Vulva

The collective term for the female external genitalia, including the labia and clitoris.

Ovulation

The release of an egg from an ovarian follicle triggered by luteinizing hormone (LH) on approximately Day $14$ of the ovarian cycle.

Menstruation

The phase of the uterine cycle characterized by the shedding of the uterine lining (period) when pregnancy has not occurred.

Proliferative Phase

The uterine cycle phase in which estrogen stimulates building the uterine lining back up.

Secretory Phase

The uterine cycle phase in which progesterone causes the thickened uterine lining to ready for an embryo.

Mammary Glands

Glands within the breasts composed of milk-producing pockets called alveoli and small tubes called ducts that lead to the nipple.

Prolactin

A hormone that stimulates the body to synthesize and produce milk.

Oxytocin

A hormone that stimulates the release of milk (the let-down reflex) during nursing.

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

Copper or hormonal contraceptive devices placed inside the uterus to prevent fertilization and implantation.

Intracellular Fluid (ICF)

Body fluid situated inside the cells that accounts for $63\%$ of fluid compartments; contains mostly potassium ($K^+$), magnesium ($Mg^{2+}$), and phosphate.

Extracellular Fluid (ECF)

Body fluid situated outside the cells consisting of interstitial fluid ($11\%$), blood plasma ($4\%$), lymph ($2\%$), and transcellular fluid ($1\%$); contains mostly sodium ($Na^+$), chloride ($Cl^-$), and bicarbonate ($HCO_3^-$).

Water Balance

A physiological state in which total daily fluid intake equals total daily fluid output, balanced at $2500\,mL$.

Dehydration

A water deficit imbalance characterized by too little fluid, resulting in thirst, low blood pressure, and decreased urine output.

Edema

A fluid excess imbalance characterized by too much fluid, resulting in swelling, weight gain, and possible breathing difficulties.

Fluid Shift

The movement of fluid between the different body fluid compartments.

First Spacing

The normal, physiological distribution of water throughout the body compartments.

Second Spacing

The abnormal accumulation of water within the interstitial spaces.

Third Spacing

The accumulation of water in body spaces where it is not easily absorbed.

Chemical Buffer System

The primary physiological mechanism that acts quickly to resist changes in pH.

Acidosis

An acid-base imbalance in which the blood is too acidic with a pH below $7.35$, corrected by increased lung ventilation to remove $CO_2$ and increased renal excretion of hydrogen ions accompanied by bicarbonate retention.

Alkalosis

An acid-base imbalance in which the blood is too alkaline with a pH above $7.45$, corrected by decreased lung ventilation to retain $CO_2$ and increased renal excretion of bicarbonate accompanied by hydrogen ion retention.