Urinary System and Renal Physiology

This flashcard set covers the vocabulary and physiological concepts related to kidney function, the renin-angiotensin mechanism, nephron structure, and the stages and characteristics of urine formation.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

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

Erythropoiesis

The process of red blood cell production facilitated by the hormone EPO.

Renin

A substance produced by the kidney when blood pressure is low that converts angiotensinogen to angiotensin I.

Renal pelvis

The area where produced urine passes through before being transported via the ureter.

Nephrons

The functional units of the kidneys, with approximately 1,000,000 present per kidney.

Renal corpuscle

One of the two parts of a nephron that contains the glomerulus.

Glomerulus

A very fine, thin filter where toxins are extracted from the blood; its inflammation can result in blood appearing in the urine.

Afferent arteriole

The vessel through which blood enters the glomerulus to be filtered.

Efferent arteriole

The vessel through which filtered, pure blood exits the glomerulus.

Granular cells

Cells that detect pressure and can cause the afferent arteriole to constrict if the pressure is too high.

Chemo receptor

A component in the kidney that acts to detect the amount of sodium chloride in the blood.

Glomerular filtration

The first of the three stages of urine formation, simple filtration of blood in the glomerulus to create filtrate.

Hydrostatic pressure

The pressure involved in the filtration process, measured at $60\,mmHg$.

Diabetes

A pathology indicated by the presence of glucose in the urine because the kidneys have reached their maximum reabsorption transport capacity.

Proximal ovulated tubule

The first part of the renal tubule where reabsorption occurs.

Urochrome

A pigment derived from the breakdown of bilirubin that causes the yellowness of urine.

Urine pH

The acidity or alkalinity of urine, which is typically near $6$ but can change based on diet.

Ureters

The structures responsible for the transportation of urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

Urethra

A tube that drains urine from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body; it is longer in males and shorter in females.