Urinary System Overview

A set of flashcards covering vocabulary related to the urinary system and its functions.

Urinary System

A system responsible for regulating blood pressure, waste elimination, and maintaining homeostasis in the body.

Micturition

The act of voiding or urination.

Glomerulus

A capillary network within the nephron where blood filtration occurs.

Filtrate

The fluid collected in the Bowman's capsule after filtration, resembling blood plasma but without significant proteins.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.

Reabsorption

The process of taking back substances from the filtrate into the bloodstream during urine formation.

Secretion

The process of transferring substances from the bloodstream into the filtrate to be excreted in urine.

Renal Corpuscle

The part of the nephron that includes the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule.

Bowman's Capsule

A cup-like sac that encases the glomerulus and collects the filtrate.

Collecting Duct

The structure in the nephron that collects urine from multiple nephrons before it is passed to the ureter.

Renin-Angiotensin Mechanism

A hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

Cortical Nephrons

The type of nephron located primarily in the cortex of the kidney.

Juxtamedullary Nephrons

Nephrons that are located at the border of the cortex and medulla, involved in producing concentrated urine.

Peritubular Capillaries

Capillaries surrounding nephrons that facilitate the exchange of materials during reabsorption and secretion.

Tubular Fluid

Another term for filtrate as it passes through the nephron, undergoing various modifications.

Erythropoietin

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

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

The rate at which blood is filtered through the glomeruli; it is affected by blood pressure and homeostatic mechanisms.

Renal Fascia

The outer layer of connective tissue that helps anchor the kidneys in place.

Urinary Bladder

A muscular sac that temporarily stores urine before it is excreted through the urethra.

Adrenal Glands

Glands located on top of the kidneys that produce hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, important for stress response.

Kidney Stones

Solid masses of crystals that form in the kidneys, potentially causing pain and blockage during urination.

Calcitriol

The active form of vitamin D, produced by the kidneys, important for calcium regulation.

Urethra

The tube that conducts urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

Major and Minor Calyces

Structures that funnel urine from the renal pelvis to the ureters.

Renal Pelvis

The funnel-shaped structure that collects urine from the major calyces and empties into the ureters.

Filtration Membrane

The barrier in the glomerulus that facilitates the selective movement of substances from blood to filtrate.