Flashcards on Urine Production and Kidney Function

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about urine production, kidney functions, and related concepts.

Filtration

The process in urine production that occurs in the glomerulus where blood pressure forces water and solutes out of the blood and into Bowman's capsule.

Reabsorption

The process in urine production that mainly takes place in the proximal tubule when substances like glucose, amino acids, and water are reabsorbed into the bloodstream.

Secretion

The process in urine production that occurs in the distal tubule when additional waste products and excess ions are secreted into the tubule to be excreted.

Kidneys

20-25% of total blood volume passes through these organs each minute.

Urine (Normal)

Should not contain glucose.

Female Urethra

Approximately 3-4 cm long; shorter than the male urethra, making females more prone to urinary tract infections.

Kidney Location

Retroperitoneal and between vertebrae T12 and L3; the right kidney is slightly lower due to the liver.

Urine Production (Daily)

Typically 1 to 2 liters per day, depending on hydration.

Internal Urethral Sphincter

Controls the involuntary release of urine from the bladder.

Calyces (Minor and Major)

Collect urine from the renal pyramids and funnel it into the renal pelvis.

Normal Blood pH Range (Kidneys)

7.35 to 7.45; maintained by the kidneys through excreting hydrogen ions and reabsorbing bicarbonate.

Aldosterone

A hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that increases sodium and water reabsorption, raising blood volume and pressure.

Kidney Maturity

Kidneys are typically fully mature and functioning at 2 years old.

High Blood Pressure Control (Kidneys)

Kidneys reduce reabsorption of water to reduce blood volume and release hormones like renin and aldosterone.

Lithotripsy

A treatment used for kidney stones, employing sound waves to break stones into smaller pieces that can be passed in urine.

Renin

An enzyme released by kidneys; it starts the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system to raise blood pressure.

Kidney Transplant

The most common type of organ transplant due to the high incidence of kidney failure and dialysis dependency.