Chapter 10: Medical Language for Urology — Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key urinary and reproductive system terms described in the lecture notes.

Kidney

One of a pair of reddish-brown, bean-shaped organs that filter blood to form urine; about 4 inches long, 2 inches wide, weighing <1/2 pound; located retroperitoneally under the lower rib cage.

Ureter

Tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder via peristaltic movement.

Urinary bladder

Muscular sac that stores urine before it is excreted through the urethra.

Urethra

The tube through which urine exits the body; anatomically different in males and females.

Renal artery

Blood vessel that carries unfiltered blood from the aorta to the kidney for filtration.

Renal vein

Blood vessel that drains filtered blood from the kidney to the inferior vena cava.

Aorta

Main artery that distributes oxygenated blood from the heart; gives rise to the renal arteries.

Inferior vena cava

Large vein that returns deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart; receives renal veins.

Hilum

Medial indentation of the kidney through which vessels, nerves, and the ureter enter/exit.

Adrenal gland

Endocrine gland located on top of each kidney.

Retroperitoneal fat

Fat behind the peritoneum that helps cushion and position the kidneys.

Nephron

Functional unit of the kidney; includes the glomerulus and renal tubules, where urine is formed.

Glomerulus

Tuft of capillaries where blood filtration begins in the renal corpuscle.

Glomerular capsule (Bowman’s capsule)

Double-walled cup surrounding the glomerulus that collects filtrate.

Proximal convoluted tubule

First segment of the renal tubule where most reabsorption of water, ions, and nutrients occurs.

Loop of Henle (nephron loop)

U-shaped tubule segment that concentrates urine by reabsorbing water and ions.

Distal convoluted tubule

Tubule segment where additional reabsorption and secretion occur, regulated by hormones.

Collecting duct

Final path for urine concentration; channels urine toward the renal pelvis.

Renal pelvis

Expanded area inside the kidney that collects urine from calyces and funnels it to the ureter.

Calyx

Cup-shaped extensions (minor/major) that drain urine from collecting ducts into the renal pelvis.

Filtration

Process by which plasma is filtered from the glomerulus into Bowman's space to form filtrate.

Reabsorption

Process of moving water, ions, and nutrients from filtrate back into the blood.

Secretion

Addition of substances from blood into the tubule filtrate (tubular secretions).

Tubular secretion

Third step of urine formation; selected substances are secreted into the filtrate along the tubules.

Hydronephrosis

Swelling of a kidney due to urine buildup from obstruction.

Hydroureter

Dilation of the ureter from urine buildup due to obstruction.

Nephrolithiasis

Kidney stones (calculus); crystals of magnesium, calcium, or uric acid causing renal colic.

Calculus

Another term for a kidney stone.

Renal cell carcinoma

A malignant tumor arising from kidney cells.

Cyst (in kidney)

Fluid-filled sac that can form within kidney tissue.

BUN (blood urea nitrogen)

Blood test measuring urea nitrogen to assess kidney function.

Creatinine

Waste product measured to evaluate kidney function.

Creatinine clearance

Test that estimates the rate at which creatinine is cleared from blood (approx. GFR).

Urine dipstick

Test strip used to detect substances in urine (protein, glucose, blood, etc.).

Urinometer

Instrument used to measure the specific gravity (concentration) of urine.

Specific gravity (urine)**

A ratio indicating urine density compared with water; reflects solute concentration.

Intake and output (I&O)

Measurement of all fluids entering and leaving the body to assess fluid balance.

Urinalysis

Laboratory analysis of urine for physical, chemical, and microscopic findings.

Urine specimen

Collected sample of urine for laboratory testing.

Genitourinary system

Urinary system plus reproductive organs; in males includes prostate, seminal vesicles, etc.

Prostate gland

Gland surrounding the male urethra; contributes fluid to semen; a key urology structure.

Seminal vesicle

Glands that produce seminal fluid; join with the vas deferens to form part of semen.

Ejaculatory duct

Duct formed by the vas deferens and seminal vesicle; empties into the urethra.

Bulbourethral gland

Cowper’s glands; secrete pre-ejaculate; part of the male reproductive system.

Vas deferens

Ductus deferens; carries sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.

Epididymis

Coiled tube where sperm mature and are stored.

Testis

Male gonad producing sperm and testosterone.

Scrotum

Sac that houses the testes outside the body.

Corpus cavernosum

Erectile tissue in the penis that fills with blood during erection.

Glans penis

The sensitive, enlarged head of the penis.

Penile urethra

Section of the urethra that runs through the penis.

Urethral meatus

External opening of the urethra.

Ovary

Female gonad producing eggs and hormones.

Uterine tube (Fallopian tube)

Tubular passage through which an ovulated egg travels to the uterus.

Uterus

Organ where a fertilized egg implants and a fetus develops.

Vagina

Muscular canal forming part of the female reproductive tract and birth canal.

Clitoris

Female erectile tissue that becomes engorged with blood during arousal.

Pubic bone

Anterior pelvic bone; supports the lower abdomen.

Sacrum

Triangular bone at the base of the spine forming part of the pelvis.

Cul-de-sac

Peritoneal pouch between uterus and rectum (rectouterine pouch in females).

Pelvic cavity

Space within the pelvis containing urinary and reproductive organs.

Rectum

Final section of the large intestine; ends at the anal canal.

Perineum

Region between the scrotum and anus in males (and between vulva and anus in females).

CT scan

Computed tomography imaging used to visualize kidneys, pelvis, and other structures.

Supine

Position lying on the back, commonly used in radiography.