The Urinary System Review

Practice flashcards covering the anatomy, histology, urine production processes, and regulatory mechanisms of the urinary system based on the lecture game format.

Kidney

A urinary system organ that removes waste products from the body and helps regulate blood pressure.

Nephron

The basic histological and functional unit of the kidney.

Renal Pelvis

The enlarged channel formed by the convergence of the major calyces of the kidney.

Juxtaglomerular Apparatus

An assembly formed by the juxtaglomerular cells of the afferent arteriole and the macula densa cells of the distal tubule.

Nephron Flow Sequence

The order of fluid movement from the filtration membrane through the nephron: renal corpuscle, proximal tubule, loop of Henle, distal tubule, and collecting duct ($1, 5, 3, 4, 2$).

Tubular Secretion

The process of urine production characterized by the active transport of solutes across the walls of the nephron into the filtrate.

Hemoglobin

A substance that normally cannot pass through the filtration membrane.

Glucose Reabsorption

The process that is usually complete by the time the filtrate reaches the end of the proximal tubule.

Afferent Arteriole Dilation

A response to a decrease in systemic blood pressure that prevents a decrease in renal blood flow and filtration pressure.

Beer Consumption Effects

The act of drinking a large amount of beer which results in decreased urine osmolality and increased urine volume.

Renin

A hormone secreted by the kidney that triggers a cascade regulating blood $Na^+$ and blood pressure.

Aldosterone

A hormone that, when levels are increased, results in the increased reabsorption of $Na^+$.

Diuretics

Substances that affect urine by increasing the urine flow.

Principal Cells

Cells found in the distal tubules and collecting duct that respond to both ADH and aldosterone.

Low-Sodium Diet Effects

A treatment for hypertension that reduces blood osmolality, inhibits ADH secretion, produces dilute urine to eliminate water, and reduces blood volume and blood pressure.

Urethra

The small tube leading from the floor of the urinary bladder to the exterior of the body.

Ureter

An organ whose principal function is to transport urine from the renal pelvis into the urinary bladder.

Urinary Bladder Capacity Discomfort

The bladder can contain $1\,L$ of urine, but discomfort becomes noticeable when the volume exceeds $500\,mL$.

Transitional Epithelium

The specific tissue type that lines the urinary bladder.

Trigone

The triangular area of the urinary bladder located between the two ureters posteriorly and the urethra anteriorly.

Renal Hilus

The region through which blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves enter and exit the kidney.

Glomeruli

The histological structures contained within the cortex of the kidney.

Osmosis

The specific mechanism by which water leaves the nephron.

Afferent Arteriole Constriction

A condition that reduces filtration pressure in the glomerulus.

Kidney Blood Vessel Sequence

The order of vessels through which blood passes from the interlobular artery: afferent arteriole, efferent arteriole, peritubular capillaries, interlobular vein, and arcuate vein ($2, 3, 5, 4, 1$).

Prednisone

A steroid used to treat autoimmune diseases that has aldosterone-like effects, increasing $Na^+$ absorption, blood volume, and blood pressure, and causing edema.