Chapter 25: The Urinary System

These flashcards encompass the key concepts, functions, and important medical terms related to the urinary system as covered in Chapter 25.

What are the main organs of the urinary system?

2 kidneys, 2 ureters, one urinary bladder, and one urethra.

What is the pathway of urine from creation to excretion?

Kidneys > Ureters > Urinary Bladder > Urethra.

What are the functions of the urinary system?

Excretion of waste, elimination of waste into the environment, and homeostatic regulation of blood volume and plasma concentration.

What is excretion in the context of the urinary system?

The removal of organic waste products and drugs/toxins from body fluid.

What is elimination in the context of the urinary system?

The discharge of waste products into the environment.

What is renal ptosis?

A condition where the kidney drops down into the pelvis when a person stands up.

What can cause hydronephrosis?

Ureteral obstruction leading to urine backup in the kidney.

What is the renal pelvis?

A chamber where urine is collected before leaving the kidney through the ureters.

What is the function of the renal corpuscle?

It is the receiving end of the nephron, containing Bowman’s capsule and glomerulus for filtering blood.

What happens in the glomerulus?

Blood pressure forces water and solutes into the tubule, creating filtrate.

What are the three distinct processes of kidney function?

Filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.

What does the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) indicate?

The amount of filtrate the kidneys produce each minute.

What are the roles of aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone at the nephron?

Aldosterone regulates sodium reabsorption; Antidiuretic hormone regulates water reabsorption.

What is the importance of the trigone area in the bladder?

It is clinically important for bladder infections.

What characterizes healthy urine?

Normally sterile, clear to pale yellow, pH 4-8, specific gravity 1.001 to 1.030.

What is glycosuria?

The presence of glucose in urine, indicating a potential problem.

What can a positive urinalysis for proteinuria indicate?

Possible kidney damage or disease.

What is a renal calculus?

A kidney stone that can obstruct urine drainage.

What is dysuria?

Painful urination often associated with urinary tract infections.

What is a cystoscopy?

A procedure to examine the bladder's mucosal surface using a thin viewing tube.

What is polycystic kidney disease (PKD)?

A group of disorders characterized by many fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys.

What is nocturnal enuresis?

Inability to control urination at night during sleep.