Chapter 7: The Language of Medicine (Study Terms)

arteriole

Small artery.

calciferol

Active form of vitamin D secreted by the kidney.

calyx

Cup-like collecting region of the renal pelvis.

catheter

Tube used to inject or remove fluids.

cortex

Outer region of an organ.

creatinine

Nitrogenous waste produced from muscle metabolism and excreted in urine.

electrolyte

Chemical that carries an electrical charge when dissolved in water.

erythropoietin (EPO)

Hormone produced by the kidney that stimulates red blood cell production.

filtration

Process in which substances pass through a filter.

glomerular

Pertaining to the glomerulus.

capsule

Membranous sac surrounding an organ; Bowman capsule surrounds the glomerulus.

glomerulus

Tiny ball of capillaries in the kidney where filtration begins.

hilum

Depression where blood vessels and nerves enter and leave the kidney.

kidney

Bean-shaped organ that filters blood to form urine.

meatus

Opening or canal.

medulla

Inner region of an organ.

nephron

Functional unit of the kidney that forms urine.

nitrogenous waste

Waste products excreted in urine, such as urea, uric acid, and creatinine.

potassium (K+)

Electrolyte essential for muscle contraction and nerve function.

reabsorption

Process in which renal tubules return needed substances to the bloodstream.

renal artery

Blood vessel carrying blood to the kidney.

renal pelvis

Central collecting region of the kidney.

renal tubule

Microscopic tube where urine is formed after filtration.

renal vein

Blood vessel carrying blood away from the kidney.

renin

Enzyme secreted by the kidney that helps regulate blood pressure.

sodium (Na+)

Electrolyte regulated by the kidneys.

trigone

Triangular area in the urinary bladder.

urea

Major nitrogenous waste excreted in urine.

ureter

Tube carrying urine from the kidney to the bladder.

urethra

Tube carrying urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

uric acid

Nitrogenous waste excreted in urine.

urinary bladder

Hollow muscular organ that stores urine.

urination (voiding)

Process of expelling urine; micturition.

glomerulonephritis

Inflammation of the glomeruli within the kidney.

interstitial nephritis

Inflammation of connective tissue between the renal tubules.

nephrolithiasis

Kidney stones.

nephrotic syndrome

Excessive protein loss in urine caused by glomerular damage.

polycystic kidney disease (PKD)

Inherited disorder characterized by multiple fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys.

pyelonephritis

Inflammation of the renal pelvis and kidney.

renal cell carcinoma

Cancerous tumor of the kidney in adulthood.

renal failure

Decreased excretion of wastes caused by impaired kidney function.

renal hypertension

High blood pressure resulting from kidney disease.

Wilms tumor

Malignant kidney tumor occurring in childhood.

bladder cancer

Malignant tumor of the urinary bladder.

diabetes insipidus (DI)

Disorder caused by lack of ADH or resistance to ADH, resulting in excessive dilute urine.

diabetes mellitus (DM)

Disorder caused by inadequate insulin or resistance to insulin, resulting in high blood sugar.

BUN (blood urea nitrogen)

Test measuring urea levels in the blood.

creatinine clearance

Test measuring how well the kidneys clear creatinine from the blood.

cystatin C

Blood test used to evaluate kidney function.

CT urography

Computed tomography imaging of the kidneys and urinary tract.

KUB

X-ray of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.

renal angiography

Contrast X-ray examination of the renal blood vessels.

retrograde pyelogram (RP)

Contrast X-ray of the renal pelvis and ureters.

voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)

Contrast X-ray of the bladder and urethra during urination.

ultrasonography

Ultrasound imaging of the urinary tract.

radioisotope scan

Nuclear medicine imaging of kidney structure and function.

MRI urography

MRI imaging of the kidneys and surrounding structures.

cystoscopy

Endoscopic examination of the urethra and urinary bladder.

dialysis

Process of removing nitrogenous wastes from the blood.

hemodialysis (HD)

Dialysis using an artificial kidney machine.

peritoneal dialysis (PD)

Dialysis using the peritoneum as the filtering membrane.

lithotripsy

Procedure that crushes urinary tract stones.

renal angioplasty

Procedure that widens a narrowed renal artery.

renal biopsy

Removal of kidney tissue for microscopic examination.

renal transplantation

Surgical transfer of a donor kidney to a recipient.

urinary catheterization

Insertion of a catheter into the urinary bladder.

ADH

Antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin).

AKI

Acute kidney injury.

BCG

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin.

BUN

Blood urea nitrogen.

CAPD

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

CKD

Chronic kidney disease.

Cl

Chloride.

CrCl

Creatinine clearance.

CRF

Chronic renal failure.

C&S

Culture and sensitivity testing.

cysto

Cystoscopic examination.

eGFR

Estimated glomerular filtration rate.

ESRD

End-stage renal disease.

ESWL

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

HCO₃⁻

Bicarbonate.

HD

Hemodialysis.

IC

Interstitial cystitis.

IVP

Intravenous pyelogram.

K+

Potassium.

KUB

Kidneys, ureters, and bladder.

Na+

Sodium.

PD

Peritoneal dialysis.

pH

Potential hydrogen; measure of acidity or alkalinity.

PKD

Polycystic kidney disease.

PRAT

Perirenal adipose tissue.

PUL

Percutaneous ultrasound lithotripsy.

RP

Retrograde pyelography.

sg

Specific gravity.

TURBT

Transurethral resection of bladder tumor.

UA

Urinalysis.

UTI

Urinary tract infection.

VCUG

Voiding cystourethrogram.