Renal Pathology

A set of 76 flashcards covering key concepts in renal pathology, including definitions of diseases, clinical syndromes, and related terms.

Glomerulonephritis

Renal disease occurs when major changes are confined to the glomeruli.

Diffuse Glomerulonephritis

Involves all glomeruli.

Focal Glomerulonephritis

Involves only a few glomeruli.

Global Glomerulonephritis

Involves the entire glomerulus.

Segmental Glomerulonephritis

Involves only a segment of the glomerulus.

Immune Complex

Formed by interaction of circulating antibodies with antigens in glomeruli.

Nephrotic Syndrome

Characterized by massive proteinuria, generalized edema, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and lipiduria.

Proteinuria

Presence of excess proteins in urine; in nephrotic syndrome, it's ≥ 3.5 g.

Hypoalbuminemia

Low levels of albumin in the blood.

Nephritic Syndrome

Acute clinical complex characterized by hematuria, oliguria, azotemia, and hypertension.

Chronic Glomerulonephritis

Represents end-stage renal disease often noted in young and middle-aged individuals.

Renal Infections

Infections affecting the kidneys, commonly acute pyelonephritis.

Acute Pyelonephritis

Infection of the renal pelvis, characterized by flank pain, fever, malaise, dysuria, and pyuria.

E. coli

Common bacteria causing acute pyelonephritis.

Ascending Infection

Most common route of urinary tract infection, especially in females.

Vesicoureteral Reflux

Backflow of urine from the bladder to the ureters.

Acute Cystitis

Bladder infection often associated with acute pyelonephritis.

Chronic Pyelonephritis

Renal dysfunction resulting from chronic fibrosis and tubular damage.

Fibrosis

Thickening and scarring of connective tissue.

Benign Nephrosclerosis

Renal changes associated with benign hypertension characterized by hyaline arteriosclerosis.

Malignant Nephrosclerosis

Severe kidney damage associated with malignant hypertension characterized by fibrinoid necrosis.

Simple Cysts

Fluid-filled sacs in the kidney, usually benign.

Adult Polycystic Kidney Disease

Genetic disorder characterized by multiple cysts in both kidneys.

Childhood Polycystic Kidney Disease

Autosomal recessive condition with numerous small cysts and liver involvement.

Renal Stones

Solid pieces of material that form in the kidneys, often causing pain.

Calcium Oxalate Stones

Most common type of kidney stones.

Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate Stones

Also known as struvite stones; often associated with urinary infection.

Hydronephrosis

Dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces due to obstruction of urine flow.

Bilateral Hydronephrosis

Condition that can lead to early renal failure.

Renal Cell Carcinoma

Common type of kidney cancer originating from tubular epithelial cells.

Adenocarcinoma

Type of cancer that forms in glandular tissues, including kidneys.

Acute and Chronic Cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder, often due to E. coli or Proteus.

Transitional Cell Carcinoma

Most common type of bladder cancer, especially in older adults.

Hematuria

Presence of blood in urine, often a sign of urinary tract issues.

Cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder, leading to lower abdominal pain and dysuria.

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

Non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland affecting urination.

Chronic Pyelonephritis Morphology

Characterized by uneven scarring, chronic inflammation, and normal glomeruli.

Clinical Course of Chronic Pyelonephritis

Includes gradual renal insufficiency and possible hypertension.

Papillary Necrosis

Necrosis of the renal pyramids, often seen in acute pyelonephritis.

Fibrinoid Necrosis

A type of necrosis seen in malignant nephrosclerosis.

Glomeruli Scarring

Scar formation in the glomeruli associated with chronic glomerulonephritis.

Vascular Disorders

Conditions involving abnormalities in the blood vessels of the kidneys.

Interstitial Nephritis

Inflammation of kidney tissue between the renal tubules.

Stone Formation

Can occur due to crystal accumulation in the kidney.

Renal Vein

Vein that drains blood from the kidneys.

Pyuria

Presence of pus in urine, indicating infection.

Atrophy of Parenchyma

Reduction in size or wasting of kidney tissues.

Renal Function Tests

Laboratory tests used to assess kidney function.

Acute Kidney Injury

Rapid deterioration in renal function over days to weeks.

Chronic Kidney Disease

Gradual loss of kidney function over time.

Tubules and Interstitium

Parts of the kidney involved in filtering blood and forming urine.

Dysuria

Painful or difficult urination.

Azotemia

Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels.

Ascites

Fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity.

Lipiduria

Presence of lipids in urine, often a sign of nephrotic syndrome.

Hemoglobinuria

Presence of hemoglobin in urine, often from hemolysis.

Renal Medulla

Inner region of the kidney where urine is formed.

Post-streptococcal Glomerulonephritis

Acute form of glomerulonephritis often occurring after a streptococcal infection, characterized by immune complex deposition in glomeruli.

Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis (RPGN)

Severe and aggressive form of glomerulonephritis with rapid loss of renal function and characteristic crescent formation in glomeruli.

Uremia

Clinical syndrome resulting from severe kidney failure, characterized by retention of waste products like urea in the blood, leading to systemic symptoms.

Dialysis

Medical procedure that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when kidneys are no longer able to function adequately.

Kidney Biopsy

Diagnostic procedure involving the removal of a small piece of kidney tissue for microscopic examination to diagnose renal diseases.

Urinalysis

Laboratory test that examines a urine sample for various components, providing insights into kidney function and urinary tract health.

Uric Acid Stones

Kidney stones formed from uric acid, often associated with gout or high purine diets.

Acute Tubular Necrosis (ATN)

Common cause of acute kidney injury resulting from damage to the renal tubule cells, often due to ischemia or nephrotoxins.

Diabetic Nephropathy

Kidney disease caused by diabetes, characterized by damage to the glomeruli leading to proteinuria and progressive renal dysfunction.

Loop of Henle

Part of the renal tubule in the kidney, responsible for creating a concentration gradient in the medulla to reabsorb water and electrolytes.

Renal Cortex

The outer region of the kidney, containing glomeruli and convoluted tubules.

Collecting Ducts

Tubes in the kidney that collect urine from nephrons and transport it to the renal pelvis.

Renal Papilla

The apex of a renal pyramid, where collecting ducts empty into the calyces.

Juxtaglomerular Apparatus

A specialized structure formed by the distal convoluted tubule and the afferent arteriole, involved in regulating blood pressure and glomerular filtration rate.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

A hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance, often impacted by kidney function.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

The volume of fluid filtered from the glomerular capillaries into Bowman's capsule per unit of time, a key indicator of kidney function.

Creatinine Clearance

A measure of kidney function that estimates the GFR by comparing creatinine levels in blood and urine.

Electrolyte Imbalance

Abnormal concentrations of electrolytes (e.g., sodium, potassium, calcium) in the blood, often a complication of kidney disease.

Anemia in CKD

A common complication of chronic kidney disease due to decreased erythropo