Urinary System Structures and Functions

Flashcards for Urinary System Review

What are the two major functions of the urinary system?

Excretion of harmful waste products and regulation of homeostasis.

What is the function of the kidneys?

To filter the blood to remove wastes and excess water and salts.

Name two substances secreted by the kidneys and their functions.

Renin (raises blood pressure) and erythropoietin (stimulates red blood cell production).

What is the functional unit of the kidney?

Nephron.

What are the three main parts of a nephron?

Glomerulus, glomerular (Bowman) capsule, and renal tubule.

What is the role of the glomerulus in urine formation?

Filtering blood and water.

What is the composition of urine?

95% water and 5% waste (urea, creatinine, salts, acids, and drugs).

What is the function of the ureters?

Carry urine from the renal pelvis of each kidney to the urinary bladder.

What is the urinary bladder?

Hollow, muscular organ that acts as a reservoir for urine.

What is the function of the urethra?

Carries urine from the bladder to the urinary meatus.

A specialist in diagnosing and treating disorders of the kidneys is called?

Nephrologist

A specialist in diagnosing and treating disorders of the female urinary system and the male genitourinary system is called?

Urologist

What does the combining form nephr/o or ren/o mean?

Kidney

What does the combining form cyst/o or vesic/o mean?

Bladder

What does the combining form urethr/o mean?

Urethra

What does the combining form ur/o or urin/o mean?

Urine

What does the combining form meat/o mean?

Meatus; opening

What does the prefix a- or an- mean?

Not; without

What does the suffix -uria mean?

Urination, urine condition

What does the suffix -logist mean?

One who studies