GZOO111-Urinary-System

Urinary System

The system in the body responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and producing urine.

Nitrogenous wastes

Waste products, such as urea and uric acid, that contain nitrogen and are excreted in urine.

Renin

A hormone produced by the kidneys that helps regulate blood pressure.

Erythropoietin

A hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells.

Retroperitoneal

Referring to the position of an organ behind the parietal peritoneum, as is the case with the kidneys.

Renal hilum

A medial indentation on the kidney where structures like the ureters, renal blood vessels, and nerves enter or exit.

Fibrous Capsule

A protective layer that encloses each kidney.

Perirenal Fat Capsule

A layer of fat that surrounds the kidney and provides cushioning.

Renal Cortex

The outer region of the kidney.

Renal Medulla

The deeper region of the kidney, consisting of renal pyramids and renal columns.

Renal Pelvis

The medial region of the kidney that collects urine and sends it to the ureter.

Nephrons

The structural and functional units of the kidneys responsible for filtering blood and producing urine.

Glomerulus

A knot of capillaries in the renal corpuscle where filtration occurs.

Filtration slits

Gaps between podocytes in the glomerulus that create a porous membrane for filtration.

Glomerular Capsule

A cup-shaped structure that surrounds the glomerulus and collects filtrate.

Renal Tubule

The part of the nephron that extends from the glomerular capsule and ends at the collecting duct.

Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)

The first part of the renal tubule where most reabsorption occurs.

Nephron Loop (Loop of Henle)

A U-shaped portion of the renal tubule that dips into the medulla.

Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT)

The last part of the renal tubule where final adjustments to urine composition are made.

Cortical Nephrons

Nephrons located entirely in the cortex of the kidney.

Juxtamedullary Nephrons

Nephrons found at the cortex-medulla junction, with a nephron loop that extends deep into the medulla.

Glomerular Filtration

The process by which water and solutes are forced through the glomerular capillary walls and into the glomerular capsule.

Tubular Reabsorption

The process by which useful substances are reabsorbed from the renal tubule back into the bloodstream.

Tubular Secretion

The process by which certain substances are moved from the blood into the renal tubule to be eliminated in urine.

Ureters

Slender tubes that connect the kidneys to the urinary bladder and transport urine.

Urinary Bladder

A muscular sac that stores urine temporarily.

Trigone

A triangular region at the base of the urinary bladder that contains the openings of the ureters and urethra.

Detrusor muscle

The three layers of smooth muscle in the wall of the urinary bladder responsible for contraction.

Urethra

A thin-walled tube that carries urine from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body.

Micturition

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