Urinary System HOSA Med Term

Functions

• to filter waste products from the body

• to regulate levels of fluid and electrolytes

• to carry urine through the system until it is excerted during the process of urination

Kidney

one of two bean-shaped organs that remove waste products from the blood and help maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in the body

Nephron

microscopic urine-producing uni; each kidney contains about 1 million nephrons

Glomerulus

one of several capillary clusters at the entrance of each nephron that initiates the process of filtering of the blood

Renal Pelvis

a reservoir in each kidney that collects urine

Ureter

one or two narrow tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder

Urethra

tubular structure through hich urine passes from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body

Urinary Bladder

muscular organ that holds the urine until it is released

Urinary Meatus

opening that carries urine from the urethra to the outside of the body

Nephrologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the kidneys

Urologist

physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disease and disorders of the urinary system of females and the genitourinary system of males

Nephropathy

any disease of the kidney

Renal Failure (kidney failure)

the inability of one or both kidneys to perform their functions

Nephrotic Syndrome

a group of conditions in which excessive amounts of protein are lost through the urine

Hydronephrosis

dilation of kidneys

Nephritis

inflammation of kidneys

Glomerulonephritis

nephritis of glomeruli

Nephrotosis

floating kidney (dropping down of a kidney)

Nephropyosis/Pyonephrosis

suppuration of the kidney

polycystic Kidney Disease

genetic disorder characterized by growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys

Renal Colic

acute pain in the kidney area that is caused by blockage during the passage of a kidney stone

Kidney Stones

an abnormal mineral deposit that has formed within the body and is named for the organ or tissue where it is located

• form when waste products in the urine seperate and crystalize

Anuria

the absense of urine formation

Diuresis

increased output of urine

Dysuria

difficult or painful urination

Enuresis

involuntary discharge of urine

Nocturia

frequent and excessive urination during night

Oliguria

scanty urination

Polyuria

excessive urination

Urinary Hesitancy

difficulty in starting a urinary stream

Urinary Incontinence

inability to control urine leaking

Urinalysis

examination of urine to determine the presense of abnormal elements

Bladder Ultrasound

use of handheld ultrasound transducer to look for stones or for elevation of bladder

Urinary Catheterization

insertion of a tube into the bladder to procure a sterile specimen for diagnostic purposes

Cystoscopy

visual examination of the urniary bladder with the use of a specialized type of endoscope called cystoscope

Nephrotomography

use of CAT scan to examine the kidneys

Diuretics

medications administered to increase urine secretion to primarily rid the body of excess water and salt

Antibiotics

for urinary tract infections

Antipasmodics

to block the signals that cause urinary incontinence

Dialysis

procedure to remove waste products such as urea, creatinine, and excess water from the blood of a patient whose kidneys no longer function

Hemodialysis

process by which waste products are filtered directly from the patient’s blood

• most common type fo dialysis

Peritoneal Dialysis

the lining of the peritoneal cavity acts as the filter to remove waste from the blood

Nephrolysis

surgical freeing of kidney form adhesions

Nephropexy

surgical fixation of a floating kidney

Nephrostomy

placement of catheter to maintain opening

Pyeloplasty

surgical repair of ureter and renal pelvis

Ureterectomy

surgical removal of a ureter

Ureteroplasty

surgical repair of a ureter

Ureteroscopy

treatment for a stone lodged in the ureter

Meatotomy

surgical incision made in the urethral meatus to enlarge the opening

Urethropexy

surgical fixation of the urethra to nearby tissue