Urinary System

Kidneys

Major organs of the urinary system that filter metabolic waste from the blood and produce urine.

Filtration

The process where kidneys separate metabolic waste from blood, forming urine.

Urinary bladder

A hollow muscular organ that stores urine until it is excreted from the body.

Erythropoietin

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

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite changes in external environments.

Renal Cortex

The outer layer of the kidney that contains more than 1 million nephrons.

Urination

The process of discharging urine from the body, also called micturition.

Renal Medulla

The inner region of the kidney containing renal pyramids that carry urine.

Nephron

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

Ureters

Two tubes that transport urine from the renal pelvis to the urinary bladder.

Calcitriol

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

Renal Pelvis

The widened upper part of the ureter where urine collects before heading to the bladder.

Reabsorption

The process by which useful substances are reclaimed from the filtrate in the nephron.

Secretion

The process of pushing waste products from the blood into the nephron for excretion.

Urinary Tract

The system that includes ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra for urine transport.

Urethra

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

Metabolic Wastes

Substances like urea and creatinine that are filtered from the blood by the kidneys.

Homeostasis Maintenance

The role of the kidneys in regulating blood pressure, pH levels, and electrolyte balance.

Urine Composition

Urine is composed of approximately 95% water and 5% waste products.

Adipose Tissue

Fatty tissue that protects the kidneys and helps hold them in place.

Peritoneum

The membrane lining the abdominal cavity, behind which the kidneys are located.

Medullary Pyramids

Triangle-shaped tissue sections in the renal medulla that carry urine.

Hydration

The process of maintaining adequate fluid balance in the body.

Creatinine

A waste product of muscle metabolism filtered out of the blood by the kidneys.

Sodium

An electrolyte essential for fluid balance and nerve function.

Chloride

An electrolyte that helps maintain pH balance and is involved in digestion.

Potassium

An electrolyte important for heart and muscle function.

Calcium

An essential mineral regulated by the kidneys; important for bone health and muscle function.

Phosphate

A mineral involved in energy storage and bone health, regulated by the kidneys.

Magnesium

An essential mineral that plays roles in muscle function and metabolism, regulated by kidneys.

Peristalsis

The wave-like muscle contractions that move urine through the ureters.

Acidity

A measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, regulated by kidneys.

Ureteral Openings

The openings in the bladder where urine enters from the ureters.

Voiding

Another term for the process of urination.

Adrenal glands

Glands located on top of the kidneys that produce hormones critical for numerous functions.

Hydronephrosis

Swelling of a kidney due to a build-up of urine caused by obstruction.

Nephrolithiasis

The formation of kidney stones resulting from crystallized minerals in urine.

Cystitis

Inflammation of the urinary bladder, often caused by infection.

Acidosis

A condition where the body fluids contain too much acid, often managed by renal function.

Alkalosis

A condition where the body fluids have too much base or alkali, regulated by kidneys.

Post-renal failure

Kidney failure due to obstruction in the urinary tract.

Pre-renal failure

Kidney failure due to reduced blood flow to the kidneys.

Intrinsic renal failure

Kidney failure due to damage to the kidney itself.

Renal isthmus

The area of the kidney that narrows where the renal pelvis connects to the ureter.

Filtrate

The fluid that passes through the kidney’s nephrons during filtration.