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Acute kidney injury (AKI)
A rapid decline in kidney function, often reversible, characterized by an increase in serum creatinine, decrease in urine output, or both.
Afferent arteriole
A small artery that carries blood toward the glomerulus of the kidney, regulating blood flow into the nephron.
Aldosterone
A hormone produced by the adrenal glands that helps regulate sodium and water balance, influencing blood pressure.
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
A hormone that helps regulate water balance by promoting water reabsorption in the kidneys.
Azotemia
An elevation of nitrogen-containing compounds such as urea and creatinine in the blood, often a sign of kidney dysfunction.
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
A blood test that measures the concentration of urea nitrogen, an indicator of kidney function.
Bowman’s capsule
A cup-like structure surrounding the glomerulus in the nephron that collects the filtrate from the blood.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
A gradual loss of kidney function over time, typically due to diabetes, hypertension, or other factors.
Collecting tubule
A component of the nephron that collects urine from the distal convoluted tubules and passes it into the renal pelvis.
Creatinine
A waste product from muscle metabolism that is filtered by the kidneys and is commonly measured to assess kidney function.
Cystitis
Inflammation of the bladder, typically caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Distal convoluted tubule
A portion of the nephron that is involved in the reabsorption of sodium and water and secretion of potassium.
Dysuria
Painful or difficult urination, often a symptom of infection or inflammation in the urinary tract.
Efferent arteriole
A small artery that carries blood away from the glomerulus after filtration occurs.
Encephalopathy
A broad term referring to any disease or disorder that affects the brain, which can occur in severe kidney disease due to the accumulation of toxins.
End-stage renal disease (ESRD)
The final stage of chronic kidney disease, where kidney function is so impaired that dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed.
Erythropoietin
A hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.
Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)
A non-invasive treatment for kidney stones that uses shock waves to break the stones into smaller pieces.
Flank pain
Pain that occurs in the side of the body, often associated with kidney problems such as kidney stones or infections.
Glomerular basement membrane
A thin, specialized structure in the kidney that helps filter blood and retains larger molecules like proteins in the bloodstream.
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
A test that measures how well the kidneys are filtering blood, used to assess kidney function.
Hydronephrosis
Swelling of the kidney due to the buildup of urine, often caused by an obstruction or blockage in the urinary tract.
Hydroureter
Dilation of the ureter, usually caused by a blockage or obstruction that prevents urine from passing from the kidney to the bladder.
Intrarenal (intrinsic) failure
Kidney failure caused by damage to the kidney tissue itself, often due to toxins, infections, or diseases affecting the kidneys.
Isosthenuria
The inability of the kidneys to concentrate or dilute urine, which can be a sign of kidney dysfunction.
Juxtaglomerular complex
A specialized structure near the glomerulus that plays a role in regulating blood pressure and kidney function by secreting renin.
Loop of Henle
A U-shaped portion of the nephron involved in concentrating urine by reabsorbing water and salts.
Nephron
The functional unit of the kidney that filters blood, reabsorbs essential nutrients, and excretes waste products as urine.
Nephrotoxic
Refers to substances or agents that are toxic to the kidneys, such as certain medications or chemicals.
Oliguria
A condition characterized by a reduced urine output, usually less than 400 milliliters per day.
Pathological fractures
Broken bones that occur without trauma, often due to weakened bones from conditions like renal osteodystrophy in chronic kidney disease.
Peritubular capillary network
A network of capillaries surrounding the nephron that facilitates the reabsorption of water and solutes from the filtrate.
Postrenal failure
Kidney failure caused by obstruction of urine flow after the kidney, such as from a blockage in the ureter, bladder, or urethra.
Prerenal failure
Kidney failure caused by inadequate blood flow to the kidneys, often due to dehydration, heart failure, or blood loss.
Proximal convoluted tubule
The first segment of the nephron where most of the reabsorption of water, glucose, and other substances occurs.
Pruritis
Itching, often experienced by clients with chronic kidney disease due to the accumulation of waste products in the blood.
Pyelonephritis
A kidney infection typically caused by bacteria that ascend the urinary tract to the kidneys, leading to inflammation.
Kidney stones (renal calculi/nephrolithiasis/urolithiasis/urinary calculi)
Solid deposits of minerals and salts that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain when they move.
Renal colic
Severe, cramp-like pain caused by the movement of kidney stones through the urinary tract.
Renal osteodystrophy (CKD-mineral bone disorder)
A condition in chronic kidney disease where the kidneys' inability to regulate calcium and phosphorus leads to bone disease.
Renin
An enzyme produced by the kidneys that plays a key role in regulating blood pressure through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
Urea
A nitrogenous waste product formed from the breakdown of proteins, which is filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the urine.
Uremia
A condition characterized by elevated levels of urea and other waste products in the blood, often seen in advanced kidney failure.
Uremic frost
A rare sign of severe uremia, where crystals of urea form on the skin due to the excessive buildup of waste products.
Urinary reflux
A condition where urine flows backward from the bladder into the kidneys, often due to a malfunctioning valve.
Urinary stasis
A condition where urine is not properly expelled from the bladder, increasing the risk of infections and kidney damage.
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
An infection in any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra.
Vasa recta
A network of small blood vessels that supply the nephron, particularly in the medulla, playing a role in the kidney’s ability to concentrate urine.
Vitamin D
A fat-soluble vitamin important for calcium absorption and bone health, which is often deficient in chronic kidney disease due to impaired conversion in the kidneys.
Voiding
The process of expelling urine from the bladder through the urethra.
Washout phenomenon
A theory that describes the flushing out of bacteria from the bladder during normal voiding, which helps prevent urinary tract infections.
