Urinary System

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the urinary system.

Urinary System

The body system responsible for eliminating waste products, consisting of kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.

Filtration

The process of separating waste and excess substances from the blood via the kidneys to form urine.

Micturition

The process of emptying the bladder, also known as urination.

Nephron

The microscopic functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtration and urine formation.

Glomerulus

A network of capillaries in the nephron where blood filtration takes place.

Renal Corpuscle

The part of the nephron that includes the glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule, where filtration occurs.

Afferent Arteriole

The blood vessel that carries blood to the glomerulus for filtration.

Efferent Arteriole

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

Tubular Reabsorption

The process where essential nutrients and water are reabsorbed from the tubular fluid back into the blood.

Tubular Secretion

The process of transferring substances from the blood into the tubular fluid to be eliminated in urine.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

The rate at which filtrate is produced in the glomeruli of the kidneys, typically measured in mL/min.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hormone that increases water reabsorption in the kidneys, thus concentrating urine.

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)

A hormone that reduces water and sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, leading to increased urine output.

Renin

An enzyme released by the juxtaglomerular cells that stimulates the production of angiotensin, affecting blood pressure and fluid balance.

Electrolyte Balance

The maintenance of proper concentrations of ions in the body fluids, which kidneys regulate through filtering and reabsorbing.

Ureters

The tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

Urinary Bladder

The muscular sac that stores urine before it is excreted from the body.

Urethra

The tube that conveys urine from the urinary bladder to the exterior of the body.

Renal Clearance

A measurement of how effectively a substance is removed from the blood by the kidneys.

Concentration Gradient

The difference in concentration of solutes in the interstitial fluid that facilitates osmotic movement of water.

Diuretic

A substance that promotes increased urine production, often used to treat high blood pressure and edema.

Urine Composition

Typically composed of 95% water and 5% solutes, including urea, creatinine, electrolytes, and wastes.

Kidney Stones

Crystalline minerals that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain and urinary issues.