genitourinary system teas

cortex

outer portion of the kidney

calyx

fibrous channel inside kidney for transporting urine

medulla

inner portion of the kidney

nephron

microscopic structure in the kidney that produces urine

peritoneum

membrane surrounding abdominal cavity

retroperitoneal

behind the peritoneum

genitourinary system

-maintains fluid, electrolyte and pH balance

-activates vitamin D

-helps to stimulate red blood cell development

-removes toxins from the blood

active transport

movement of substances against concentration gradients using ATP

glomerulus

small porous capillaries in the nephron that filter blood

glomerular capsule (bowman’s capsule)

fibrous capsule surrounding the glomerulus that catches the filtrate

proximal/distal convoluted tubules

microscopic fibrous tubelike structures in the nephron where exchange of substances occurs

reabsorption

movement of substances from urine to blood

secretion

Movement of substances from blood to urine

transport protein

protein channel in cell membrane that transports specific substances

isotonic

a solution that is the same concentration as body fluid

hypertonic

a solution that is more concentrated than body fluid

hypotonic

a solution that is less concentrated than body fluid

NKCC

sodium, potassium, chloride, co-transporter protein that actively transports these substances out of the ascending limb

descending limb

water moves out and into the interstitial space via aquaporins, causing the concentration to increase within the loop (very hypertonic)

ascending limb

sodium, potassium, and chloride are moved out to the interstitial space via active transport proteins (NKCC). As fluid moves through the concentration decreases (resulting in hypotonic solution)

calcifediol

inactive form of vitamin D

calciferol

active form of vitamin D

erythropoietin

hormone secreted by the kidneys in response to decreased oxygen levels that promote the formation of red blood cells

juxtaglomerular apparatus

group of cells in the nephron located between the distal convoluted tube and the afferent arteriole that help to regulate blood pressure and urine formation

micturition

term for urination

renin

hormone produced by the juxtaglomerular apparatus in the nephron that activates the renin angiotensin aldosterone system

transitional epithelium

multilayer epithelial tissue found on the inner layer of the urinary bladder

trigone

triangular structure in the bladder