Urinary System Review

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the urinary system for effective exam preparation.

Excretion

The process of eliminating waste products from the body.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney responsible for forming urine.

Aldosterone

A hormone that increases blood volume and blood pressure by stimulating reabsorption of sodium and water in the kidneys.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hormone that regulates water balance by increasing water reabsorption in the collecting ducts of the kidneys.

Urethra

The tube that conducts urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

Micturition

The process of expelling urine from the bladder.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

The rate at which blood is filtered in the glomeruli of the kidneys; approximately 125 mL/min.

Tubular Reabsorption

The process by which substances in the glomerular filtrate are reabsorbed back into the blood.

Renal Medulla

The inner part of the kidney that contains the renal pyramids.

Urinalysis

A laboratory examination of urine to assess its composition and detect abnormalities.

Uremia

A condition characterized by the presence of urea and other nitrogenous waste in the blood.

Renal Tubules

The part of the nephron where reabsorption and secretion occur.

Urine Composition

Primarily water (95%), with nitrogen-containing waste (urea, uric acid) and electrolytes.

Oliguria

A condition of producing less than 400 mL of urine per day.

Peristalsis

The coordinated contractions of muscles in the ureters to move urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Trigone

A triangular area on the floor of the bladder formed by the entrance of the ureters and the exit of the urethra.