Urinary System: Gross and Microscopic Anatomy

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on the urinary system, focusing on the gross and microscopic anatomy.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtration and urine formation.

Afferent arteriole

The blood vessel supplying blood to the glomerulus for filtration.

Efferent arteriole

The blood vessel draining blood away from the glomerulus after filtration.

Glomerulus

A network of capillaries involved in the filtration of blood plasma.

Renal corpuscle

The part of the nephron where filtration takes place, consisting of Bowman's capsule and the glomerulus.

Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)

The nephron segment where the majority of reabsorption of water, ions, and nutrients occurs.

Distal convoluted tubule (DCT)

The nephron segment involved in selective reabsorption and secretion; regulated by hormones.

Collecting duct

The pathway for urine after it has been formed, where fine-tuning of urine concentration takes place.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

The rate at which blood is filtered through the glomeruli, indicative of kidney function.

Tubular secretion

The process of adding substances from the blood into the tubular fluid, correcting composition as necessary.

Tubular reabsorption

The process of reclaiming water and essential solutes from the tubular fluid back into the blood.

Renal fascia

The outer layer of dense connective tissue that anchors the kidney to the abdominal wall.

Perirenal fat capsule

A layer of fat that surrounds the kidney, providing cushioning and support.

Filtration slits

Openings formed by podocytes which allow the passage of small molecules while blocking larger proteins in the filtration membrane.

Mesangial cells

Cells that help regulate glomerular filtration by altering the surface area of the filtration membrane.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

A hormone that increases water reabsorption in the collecting duct, affecting urine concentration.

Aldosterone

A hormone that promotes sodium reabsorption in the nephron, affecting fluid balance and blood pressure.

Creatinine

A waste product from muscle metabolism used as a measure of kidney function in blood tests.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

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

Countercurrent multiplier

A mechanism in the nephron loop that establishes an osmotic gradient for water reabsorption.

Urethra

The tube through which urine is expelled from the body.

Renal pelvis

The funnel-shaped structure in the kidney that collects urine before it moves to the ureter.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

A long-term condition characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD)

The final stage of chronic kidney disease where dialysis or transplant is required for survival.

Nephrotic syndrome

A kidney disorder causing excessive protein loss in urine, often leading to edema.

Diuretics

Medications that promote the removal of water and salts through urine.

Glomerulonephritis

An inflammation of the glomeruli, often leading to issues with filtration and kidney function.