Urinary and Reproductive Biology Review

Flashcards covering the vocabulary and key concepts of the urinary and reproductive systems based on the lecture transcript.

Urethra

A tube that is longer in men than in women that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.

Urea

The nitrogenous waste product made from the breakdown of amino acids by the liver.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

A hormone whose secretion is suppressed or decreased by alcohol consumption.

Aldosterone

A steroid hormone made in the adrenal cortex that promotes the elimination of potassium and causes the body to retain sodium and water.

Atrial natriuretic hormone

A hormone secreted by the heart in response to an increase in blood volume.

Renin

A hormone, technically an enzyme, that allows for the conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin I.

Erythropoietin

A hormone made by the kidneys when blood oxygen is too low to promote the production of red blood cells.

Renal sinus

The space within the hilum that contains the renal pelvis and blood vessels.

Perirenal fat

A fatty mass that cushions the kidney and helps attach it to the body wall.

Pararenal fat

The fat situated external to the renal fascia.

Glomerulus

A big ball of capillaries within the nephron.

Three processes of urine formation

Glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, and tubular secretion.

Tubular secretion

The specific process of urine formation that requires $ATP$.

Juxtamedullary nephron

A type of nephron characterized by a longer loop of Henle encapsulated with specialized blood vessels.

Vasa recta

The group of blood vessels that encompasses the longer loop of Henle in juxtamedullary nephrons.

Proximal convoluted tubule

The part of the nephron where the majority of tubular reabsorption occurs.

Cortical nephron

The type of nephron that constitutes the majority of nephrons in the kidney.

ACE (Angiotensin-converting enzyme)

The enzyme produced by the lungs to convert angiotensin I to angiotensin II.

Glomerular filterability determinants

Molecular weight and the charges of the molecules.

Simporter (Cotransport)

A type of transport where a molecule, such as water or glucose, moves in the same direction as sodium.

Antiport (Counter transport)

A type of transport where a molecule moves in the opposite direction of sodium.

Parathyroid hormone

A hormone that increases calcium absorption within the kidney.

Trigone

The triangular area of the bladder often associated with bacterial growth.

Median umbilical ligament

The structure that attaches the urinary bladder to the abdominal wall.

Internal urethral sphincter

The sphincter controlling urine that is involuntary.

Polyuria

A condition characterized by a hysterical increase in water or defects in the concentrating abilities of $ADH$.

Oliguria

Low urine output which can be caused by renal disease, obstructive nephropathy, hypotension, or hypovolemia.

Nephroptosis

A condition where reduced body fat causes the kidney to drop in position, kinking the ureters and causing fluid backup.

Cystitis

An infection localized in the bladder.

Cross ectopia

A renal condition where the kidneys are fused and lie on the same side of the midline.

Oligomegonephronia

A condition involving a reduced number of nephrons that are abnormally large in size.

Hemodialysis

The use of an artificial kidney machine to subtract and add substances to the blood.

Meiosis

A reduction division process that creates four daughter cells.

Vas deferens

The tube connecting the epididymis to the urethra in males; it is severed during a vasectomy for sterilization.

Epididymis

The structure where sperm is stored until it matures.

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)

The hormone present eight days after fertilization, released by trophoblast cells, which prevents the corpus luteum from involuting.

HCS

The hormone that reserves glucose for the baby by changing the mother's metabolism of glucose.

Leydig cells

The cells in males responsible for making testosterone.

Prostate gland

The gland that produces an alkaline fluid to neutralize vaginal $pH$ and makes roughly $30\%$ of semen.

Seminal vesicles

The glands that make roughly $60\%$ of semen, primarily a sugary fluid.

Bulbourethral gland

The male gland that produces a mucoid product for lubrication.

Stardustus muscle

The smooth muscle attached to the scrotum and testis.

Cremaster muscle

The skeletal muscle that draws the testes closer to the body to maintain temperature.

Corpora spongiosum and corpora cavernosa

The two types of erectile bodies found in the penis.

Nitric oxide

A chemical that causes vasodilation and increased blood flow to the penis during erection.

Average sperm count

Approximately $120,000,000$ sperm per milliliter.

Cervix

The opening to the uterus that dilates during childbirth.

Progesterone

The hormone in the secretory phase of the uterine cycle that causes the endometrium to double or triple in thickness and prevents uterine contractions.