Chapter 9 Urinary Terms

Acute glomerulonephritis

Sudden inflammation of the glomeruli, often after an infection, that can impair the kidney's ability to filter waste.

Renal cell carcinoma

The most common type of kidney cancer, starting in the lining of small tubes in the kidney.

Nephroblastoma (Wilms' tumor)

A rare kidney cancer most often found in young children.

Nephrotic syndrome

A group of symptoms including protein in the urine, low blood protein, high cholesterol, and swelling due to kidney damage.

Renal adenoma

A benign (non-cancerous) tumor of the kidney.

trans-

Across, beyond, or through.

-lysis

Loosening, dissolution, or breaking down.

poly-

Many or much.

Urinary bladder (structure, function, location)

Hollow, muscular sac in the pelvic cavity; stores urine until micturition (urination).

Sphincter function

Circular muscles that control the release of urine from the bladder by opening and closing.

Meatus function

The external opening of the urethra through which urine leaves the body.

Hematuria

Presence of blood in the urine.

-ous

Pertaining to.

Cortex vs. cortices

Cortex: the outer layer of an organ (like the kidney). Cortices: plural form of cortex.

Peritoneal dialysis

A treatment for kidney failure where fluid is placed into the abdominal cavity to filter waste through the peritoneum.

Permeable

Allowing substances (such as fluids or solutes) to pass through.

Calculus vs. calculi

Calculus: a stone (such as a kidney stone). Calculi: plural form, meaning multiple stones.

Lithotripsy

A procedure that crushes kidney stones using sound waves or other means.

-pathy

Disease or disorder.

ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy)

A noninvasive treatment that uses shock waves to break kidney stones into smaller pieces.

Pyelitis

Inflammation of the renal pelvis of the kidney.

Dysuria

Painful or difficult urination.

UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)

An infection in any part of the urinary system, often the bladder or urethra.

Nephrotic

Pertaining to the kidney and often used in relation to nephrotic syndrome.

Micturition

The act of urination.

Hydronephrosis

Swelling of the kidney due to buildup of urine when outflow is obstructed.

Hilum

The indentation of the kidney where blood vessels, nerves, and the ureter enter/exit.

Bladder

Muscular sac in the pelvis that stores urine.

Enuresis

Involuntary urination, especially bedwetting at night.

Oliguria

Decreased urine output (less than 400 mL/day in adults).