level 1: CH 21 The Urinary System

Vocabulary flashcards covering major anatomical terms, structures, and key concepts of the urinary system as presented in the lecture notes.

Kidney

The organ(s) that filter blood to form urine; located in the retroperitoneal space in the upper abdomen; composed of renal cortex, renal medulla, and renal pelvis.

Ureter

Long, slender muscular tubes that move urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder by gravity and peristalsis.

Urinary bladder

A temporary reservoir for urine located posterior to the pubic symphysis; walls lined with mucosa and lined by smooth muscle to expel urine.

Urethra

The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body; longer in males and passes through the prostate.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney consisting of a glomerulus, renal tubule, and collecting duct.

Glomerulus

A knot of capillaries where blood is filtered to form the glomerular filtrate.

Glomerular capsule (Bowman’s capsule)

The cup-shaped structure surrounding the glomerulus that collects filtrate.

Renal tubule

The tubular component of the nephron where reabsorption and secretion occur; leads to the collecting duct.

Collecting duct

Tubule that collects filtrate from multiple nephrons and concentrates urine under ADH influence.

Glomerular filtration

Process by which water and dissolved substances pass from the blood in the glomerulus into the glomerular capsule.

Tubular reabsorption

Movement of water, ions, and nutrients from the renal tubule back into the peritubular capillaries.

Tubular secretion

Movement of substances from the peritubular capillaries into the renal tubule for elimination.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Hormone that increases water reabsorption in the collecting ducts by inserting aquaporins, concentrating urine.

Peritubular capillaries

Network of capillaries surrounding the renal tubules where reabsorption and secretion occur.

Afferent arteriole

Blood vessel that brings blood to the glomerulus, helping drive filtration.

Efferent arteriole

Blood vessel that carries blood away from the glomerulus after filtration.

Renal artery

Major blood supply to the kidney, branching from the aorta.

Renal vein

Drains filtered blood from the kidney to the inferior vena cava.

Renal cortex

The outer portion of the kidney.

Renal medulla

The inner portion of the kidney containing the renal pyramids.

Renal pelvis

Funnel-shaped area that collects urine from the calyces and drains into the ureter.

Hilum

Indentation on the kidney where vessels, nerves, and the ureter enter/exit.

Renal capsule

The membranous envelope that surrounds and protects the kidney.

Retroperitoneal

Located behind the peritoneum (posterior to the abdominal cavity).

Urea

A nitrogenous waste product formed from protein metabolism and excreted in urine.

Uric acid

A nitrogenous waste produced from purine metabolism and excreted in urine.

Creatinine

A nitrogenous waste produced from muscle metabolism and excreted in urine; used to assess kidney function.

Hydronephrosis

Distension of the renal pelvis with urine due to obstruction of urine flow.

Renal calculi (kidney stones)

Crystallized mineral deposits (calcium or uric acid) forming stones in the urinary tract.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland causing urinary symptoms and potential obstruction.