Kidney and Urinary System Exam Review

Flashcards generated for studying concepts related to the kidneys and urinary system, based on lecture notes.

Kidneys

The organs primarily responsible for filtering blood and removing waste.

Urea

A nitrogenous waste that constitutes approximately 50% of nitrogenous wastes.

Azotemia

A condition caused by elevated nitrogenous waste in the blood.

Erythropoietin

A hormone secreted by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production.

Cardiovascular system

The system that is NOT involved in excretion.

Fibrous capsule

The layer that directly surrounds the kidney.

Renal pyramids

Structures located in the medulla of the kidney.

Afferent arteriole

The vessel through which blood enters the nephron.

Minor calyx

The structure that collects urine from the renal papillae.

Juxtamedullary nephrons

Nephrons characterized by long loops extending into the medulla.

Capillary endothelium

The component of the filtration membrane that has fenestrations.

Net filtration pressure

The measure of pressure in the glomerulus, approximately 10 mm Hg.

Capsular hydrostatic pressure

The force that opposes glomerular filtration.

Renal autoregulation

The primary regulation of GFR (glomerular filtration rate).

Inulin

The substance used to measure GFR.

Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)

The location where approximately 65% of filtrate reabsorption occurs.

Sodium-glucose transporters

The mechanisms in the PCT that glucose reabsorption relies on.

Aldosterone

The hormone that increases sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT).

Osmotic gradient

The primary gradient generated by the nephron loop.

Phosphate

The ion excreted under the influence of parathyroid hormone.

ADH

The hormone that leads to the insertion of aquaporins into the collecting duct.

Countercurrent multiplier

A function of the nephron loop.

Countercurrent exchanger

The function of the vasa recta.

Normal urine specific gravity

Ranges from 1.001 to 1.028.

Oliguria

Defined as urine output below 500 mL/day.

Fresh urine odor

Described as distinctive but not repellent.

Glucose

A solute that is NOT typically found in urine.

Detrusor muscle

The muscle found in the bladder.

Prostatic region

The region through which the male urethra passes.

External urethral sphincter

The muscle involved in voluntary control of micturition.

Urinary incontinence

Condition that may result from spinal cord injury.

Hemodialysis

Treatment that may be required in severe kidney dysfunction.

Glomerulonephritis

A disorder that involves kidney inflammation.

Renal columns

Extensions of the renal cortex.

Peristaltic contractions

Contractions that occur in the ureters.

Trigone

An area located in the bladder.

Cortical radiate arteries

Arteries that supply the renal cortex.

Renal corpuscle

Component that includes the glomerular capsule.

Blood hydrostatic pressure

The pressure that promotes filtration.

Tubuloglomerular feedback

Part of renal autoregulation.

Myogenic mechanism

Regulates blood flow to the glomerulus.

Creatinine clearance

Assesses the glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Female urethra

Approximately 3–4 cm in length.

ADH

Hormone that increases water permeability in the kidneys.

Active transport of NaCl

Required by the countercurrent multiplier.

Hydronephrosis

Involves urine backup in the kidney.

Nephrotic syndrome

Characterized by the presence of proteinuria.

Voluntary sphincter

The external urethral sphincter is considered this type of muscle.

Sodium

An ion balance critical for nerve function.

Calcitriol

A hormone the kidneys contribute to calcium homeostasis.

Glucose

Not classified as a nitrogenous waste.

Renal pelvis

Structure that connects to the ureter.

Segmental artery

The artery that branches into interlobar arteries.

Filtration slits

Part of the podocytes.

Albumin

A molecule too large to be filtered out of the bloodstream.

Renin

Released in response to low blood pressure.

ANP

Promotes sodium and water excretion.

Vasa recta

Maintains the medullary osmotic gradient.

Normal urine pH

Approximately 6.0.

Diuresis

Can result from diabetes insipidus.

Stretch receptors

Initiate the micturition reflex.

Nephroptosis

Refers to a floating kidney.

Glomerulus

A structure that is part of the renal corpuscle.

21%

The percentage of cardiac output that the kidneys receive.

Urea recycling

Contributes to the medullary osmotic gradient.

Nephrotic syndrome

Condition characterized by protein loss in urine.

Membranous urethra

Part of the male urethra.

Vitamin D

The vitamin activated by the kidneys.

Fluid volume control

A way in which the urinary system helps regulate blood pressure.

Retroperitoneal

Describes the location of the kidneys.

Osmolarity

Regulated by the kidneys as part of blood pressure control.

Electrolytes

Substances regulated by the kidneys.

Erythropoietin

The hormone produced by kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production.

Liver

The organ that converts ammonia to urea.

Blood urea nitrogen

Clinically expresses nitrogenous waste levels in the blood.

Excretion

The process of removing wastes from body fluids.

Urine flow order

1. Minor calyx 2. Major calyx 3. Renal pelvis 4. Ureter.

Renal fasica

The tissue that binds the kidney to the abdominal wall.

Ureter

Structure to which urine exits directly from the renal pelvis.

Renal fraction

Refers to the percentage of cardiac output received by the kidneys.

Renal medulla

Comprised of renal pyramids.

Glomerular capsule

Surrounds the glomerulus.

Glomerular capillaries

The type of capillary found in the glomerulus.

Peritubular capillaries

The structures where the efferent arterioles lead blood away from the glomerulus.

Nephron

Formed by a renal corpuscle and an attached renal tubule.

Podocytes

Cells that form the visceral layer of the glomerular capsule.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney.

Transport maximum

Reached when transport proteins are saturated.

Transport maximum

Defines the capacity at which reabsorption can occur.

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone mechanism

Increases blood pressure.

Sympathetic nervous system

Causes vasoconstriction.

Microvilli

Structures that increase absorptive surfaces in the PCT.

Renin-angiotensin activation

Increases when blood pressure is low.

Solvent drag

A mechanism that allows water reabsorption in the PCT.

Glucose reabsorption

Normally occurs fully in healthy individuals.

Tubular secretion

Process by which morphine is removed from the body.

Uric acid

A waste product reabsorbed by the nephron, but not creatinine.

DCT

Contains approximately 20% of filtrate water.

Osmosis and solvent drag

Mechanisms of peritubular absorption.

ANP

A hormone that decreases sodium reabsorption.