key words

electrolyte

mineral salt of the body that caries an electrical charge and regulates nerve impulses, muscle contraction, hydration, and blood pH.

filtrate

fluid that passes from the blood through the capillary walls of the glomeruli into Bowman capsule. Similar to plasma but with less protein. Urine is formed from filtrate.

nitrogenous waste

product of protein metabolism that includes urea, uric acid, creatine, creatinine, and ammonia

peristaltic wave

sequence of rhythmic contraction of smooth muscles of a hollow organ to force material forward and prevent backflow. The ureter carries urine in these rhythms to the bladder. These waves keep urine flowing toward the bladder.

peritoneum

serous membrane that lines the abdominoplevic cavity and covers most of the organs within the cavity.

pH

symbol that expresses the alkalinity or acidity of a solution.

plasma

liquid portion of blood that is filtered by the nephrons to remove dissolved wastes.

erythropoietin

this hormone acts on bone marrow to stimulate production of red blood cells when blood oxygen levels are low. Kidneys secrete this hormone.

retroperitoneal

located outside of the peritoneum.

renal cortex

outer area of the kidney. This structure contains portions of the microscopic filtering units of the kidney (nephrons).

renal medulla

middle area of the kidney. This structure contain portions of the microscopic filtering units of the kidney (nephrons).

hilum, or hilus

opening through which the renal artery enters and the renal vein exits the kidney. After kidneys remove waste products during urine formation, filtered blood leaves through the renal vein.

renal pelvis

urine carrying waste products enters this duct, a hollow cavity where the kidney merges with the ureter.

ureteral orifice

urine enters the bladder through this tissue.

urinary bladder

expandable hollow organ that acts as a temporary reservoir for urine.

rugae (bladder)

small folds within the bladder that expand as the bladder fills.

trigone

triangular area that leads into the urethra. Formed from two openings of the ureters and the urethra. Discharges urine from the bladder

urination (micturition)

the body expels urine through an opening in the urethra (urinary meatus)

nephrons

microscopic structure of kidney tissue. They maintain homeostasis by continually adjusting and regulating the composition, volume, and pH of blood plasma and tissue fluid. Removes nitrogenous wastes, excess electrolytes, etc. Includes a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule.

renal corpuscle

composed of a tuft of capillaries (glomerulus) and a modified, enlarged extension of the renal tubule (Bowman [glomelular] capsule) that surrounds the glomerulus.

afferent arteriole

carries blood to the glomerulus

efferent arteriole

carries blood from the glomerulus. Following movement here, fluids and soluble material from blood plasma is now called filtrate.

peritubular capillaries

a network of capillaries that surround the renal tubule.

renal tubule

consists of four sections: the proximal convoluted tubule, the narrow loop of Henle, then the larger distal tubule, and finally the collecting tubule. the collecting tubule transports newly formed urine to the renal pelvis for excretion by the kidneys.

Filtration (physiological function of the nephron)

occurs in the renal corpuscle as water, electrolytes, sugar, and other small molecules in blood plasma in the afferent tubule pass into the bowman capsule to form filtrate.

Reabsorption (physiological function of nephron)

begins as filtrate travels through the long, twisted pathway of the tubule. Most of the water and some electrolytes and amino acids from the tubule reenter the circulating blood through the peritubular capillaries.

secretion (physiological function of nephron)

the final stage of urine formation. The peritubular capillaries actively secrete waste products, such as ammonia, uric acid, and metabolic products of medications, into the renal tubules for removal in urine. Urine leaves the collecting tubule and enters the renal pelvis. From there, urine passes to the bladder for temporary storage until urination takes place.

albumin/o

albumin, protein

azot/o

nitrogenous compounds

-emia

blood condition

bacteri/o

bacteria

-uria

urine

cyst/o

bladder

vesic/o

bladder

-cele

hernia, swelling

glomerul/o

glomerulus

kal/i

potassium (an electrolyte)

ur/o

urine

-esis

condition

lith/o

stone, calculus

-tripsy

crushing

meat/o

opening, meatus

nephr/o

kidney

-tomy

incision

ren/o

kidney

-pexy

fixation (of an organ)

noct/o

night

olig/o

scanty (small amount)

py/o

pus

pyel/o

renal pelvis

ur/o

urine, urinary tract

ureter/o

urine, urinary tract

-ectasis

dilation, expansion

urethr/o

urethra

-stenosis

narrowing, stricture

-genesis

forming; producing; origin

-iasis

abnormal condition

dia-

through, across

-lysis

separation; destruction; loosening

retro-

backward, behind

dysuria

pain during urination

glomerulonephritis

inflammation of the glomelular membrane in the nephrons, causing it to become “leaky” (permeable). Erythrocytes and protein (normally in blood), pass through the inflamed glomelular membrane and enter the tubule. Urinalysis reveals proteinuria, hematuria, and bacteruria, indicative of infection or inflammation. Other sx: HTN, edema, impaired renal function.

nephrolithiasis

stones (calculi) commonly form in the kidney. Also found in urinary tract (urolithiasis) Commonly formed when dissolved urine salts begin to solidify. May lodge in ureters (ureterolithiasis), causing pain (colic). May cause urine to reflux into the renal pelvis, causing dilation.

extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL)

pulverizes stones using concentrated ultrasound shock waves.

percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

alternative to EWSL. Small incision through the skin to create an opening into the kidney to remove the stone. Lithotriptor, an ultrasonic or electrohydraulic probe may be used to break the stone into smaller fragments. Nephrostomy tube may be used to drain urine from the kidney during healing.

acute tubular necrosis (ATN)

tubular portion of the nephron is injured after the ingestion of toxic drugs (nephrotoxic ATN) or by a decrease in blood supply (ischemic ATN). Circulatory collapse, severe hypotension, hemorrhage, dehydration, and other disorders that affect blood supply may cause ischemic ATN. Common sx: oliguria, fluid retention, mental apathy, nausea, vomiting, and increased blood levels of calcium (hypercalcemia)

adenocarcinoma

arises from mucus-secreting glands in the bladder, generally invasive. In early stages, with malignancy confined to the bladder lining, an electric current or high-energy laser is used, transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). Advanced malignancy requires removal of the bladder (cystectomy) and potentially combo treatment with immunotherapy, chemotherapy performed intravesically (directly into the bladder or intravenously).

anuria

absence of urine production or output.

bladder neck obstruction (BNO)

blockage at the base of the bladder that reduces or prevents urine from passing into the urethra.

cystocele

prolapsing or downward displacement of the bladder due weakening of the supporting tissues between the bladder and vagina.

-cele

hernia, swelling

end-stage renal disease (ESRD)

any type of kidney disease in which there is little or no remaining kidney function, requiring the patient to undergo dialysis or kidney transplant for survival

enuresis

involuntary discharge of urine. Incontinence

en-

within

fistula

abnormal passage from a hollow organ to the surface or from one organ to another. Commonly seen type, vesicovaginal fistula. A passage forms between the bladder and vagina.

hydronephrosis

abnormal dilation of the renal pelvis and the calyces of one or both kidneys caused by pressure from accumulated urine that cannot flow past an obstruction in the urinary tract. If dilation affects the ureter, it is called hydroureter.

interstitial cystitis (IC)

chronic inflammation of the bladder wall that is not caused by bacterial infection and is not responsive to conventional antibiotic therapy. Painful bladder syndrome.

nephrotic syndrome

loss of large amounts of plasma protein(usually albumin) through urine due to an increased permeability of the glomelular membrane.

neurogenic bladder

impairment of bladder control as a result of brain, spinal cord, or nerve damage.

polycystic kidney disease (PKD)

inherited disease in which sacs of fluid called cysts develop in the kidneys

pyelonephritis

infection of the kidney, usually the result of an infection that begins in the urethra or bladder and ascends the ureters to the kidney.

urgency

sensation of the need to void immediately

urinary tract infection (UTI)

an infection, typically of bacterial origin, in any part of the urinary tract, including the kidneys (acute pyelonephritis), bladder (cystitis), or urethra (urethritis)

vesicouretral reflux (VUR)

disorder caused by the failure of urine to pass through the ureters to the bladder, usually as a result of impairment of the valve between the ureter and bladder or obstruction in the ureter.

Wilms tumor

rapidly developing malignant tumor of the kidney that usually occurs in children. Nephroblastoma

electromyography

measures the contraction of muscles that control urination. Electrodes are placed in the rectum and urethra.

cystoscopy

examination of the urinary bladder for evidence of pathology, to obtain bx of tumors or other growths, or to remove polyps.

blood urea nitrogen

test that determines the amount of nitrogen in blood that comes from urea, a waste product of protein metabolism.

culture and sensitivity (C&S)

test that determines the causative organism of an infection and identifies how the organism responds to various antibiotics

urinalysis (UA)

urine screening test that includes physical observation, chemical tests, and microscopic evaluation.

bladder ultrasound

a noninvasive painless test that uses high-frequency soundwaves to produce images of the bladder before and after urination to check for urinary retention.

intravenous pyelography (IVP)

imaging of the urinary tract after IV injection of a contrast medium. Excretory urography.

renal nuclear scan

nuclear imaging test using a radioactive substance (tracer) injected intravenously to produce images of the kidneys.

voiding cystourethrography

x-ray of the bladder and urethra performed before, during, and after voiding using a contrast medium to enhance imaging.

kidney transplant

replacement of a diseased kidney with one that is supplied by a compatible donor

nephrostomy

opening created between the skin and kidney to drain urine through a tube to a collecting receptacle outside the body when the ureters are unable to do so.

-stomy

forming an opening (mouth)

ureteral stent placement

insertion of a thin, narrow tube into the ureter to prevent or treat obstruction of urine flow from the kidney.

dialysis

filtering procedure used to remove fluid and waste products from the blood and correct for electrolyte imbalances.

hemodialysis

dialysis in which an artificial kidney machine receives waste-filled blood, filters it using a solution (dialysate) and then returns the dialyzed (clean) blood to the patient’s bloodstream.