Renal and Endocrine Pathology Overview

Vocabulary flashcards derived from the lecture notes on renal and endocrine pathology, covering key terms and definitions.

Renal Failure

A condition where kidneys fail to remove metabolic waste, regulate fluid, electrolyte, and pH balance.

Acute Renal Failure

Abrupt onset and potentially reversible renal failure resulting in impaired waste elimination and electrolyte balance.

Chronic Renal Failure

A progressive condition with irreversible kidney damage leading to decreased nephron function over time.

Nephrons

The functional units of the kidney responsible for urine formation.

Glomerulonephritis

Inflammation of the glomeruli in the kidneys, leading to altered kidney function.

Pyelonephritis

A type of urinary tract infection that affects the renal pelvis and interstitial tissue.

Cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder, often caused by infection.

Uremia

A condition involving the buildup of waste products in the blood due to decreased renal function.

Erythropoietin

A hormone produced by the kidneys that regulates red blood cell production.

Renin

An enzyme produced by the kidneys that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

A measure of kidney function that indicates how well the kidneys filter blood.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

A blood test that measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood, used to assess kidney function.

Acute Tubular Necrosis

A type of kidney injury that results from the damage to the tubular cells of the kidneys.

Hypertension

High blood pressure, a common condition in chronic kidney disease due to fluid overload and increased renin production.

Diuretics

Medications that assist in the elimination of excess fluid from the body by increasing urine production.

Neurogenic Disorders

Conditions that impair bladder control and emptying.

Hormones

Chemical messengers released by glands in the endocrine system to regulate bodily functions.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

A system that regulates hormone release from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

Cushing Syndrome

A disorder caused by excess cortisol production, leading to a range of symptoms including obesity and hyperglycemia.

Addison's Disease

Adrenal insufficiency caused by autoimmune destruction of the adrenal cortex, leading to hormone shortages.

Hyperthyroidism

A condition characterized by excessive levels of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream.

Hypothyroidism

A condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates glucose levels in the blood.

Glucagon

A hormone produced by the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels.

Somatostatin

A hormone that inhibits the secretion of other hormones, including insulin and glucagon.

Diabetes Mellitus

A metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency or resistance.

Urea Cycle

A series of chemical reactions in the liver that convert ammonia to urea for excretion.

Electrolyte Balance

The maintenance of optimal concentrations of ions in the body, crucial for normal cellular functions.

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder, often related to gallstones.