Medical Terminology Chapter 10- Urinary System (Extended)

Homeostasis

The process through which the body maintains a constant internal environment. These functions include:

• Maintaining the proper balance of water, electrolytes, and acids in the body by filtering the blood as it flows through the kidneys.

• Constantly filtering the blood to remove urea, creatinine, uric acid, and other waste materials from the bloodstream.

• Converting these waste products and excess fluids into urine in the kidneys and excreting them from the body via the urinary bladder.

home/o

Word part meaning constant

-stasis

Word part meaning control

Urea

Major waste product of protein metabolism.

Creatinine

A waste product of muscle metabolism.

Urine

A clear, amber, slightly acidic liquid with an acrid odor that is formed in the kidneys and excreted from the urinary bladder.

Urinary tract / Urinary system

Consists of two kidneys, two ureters, one bladder, and one urethra.

On top of the kidneys

Location of the adrenal glands?

Genitourinary tract

urinary tract + reproductive organs collectively called?

Kidneys 🫘

Constantly filter the blood to remove waste products and excess water. These are excreted as urine, which is 95% water and 5% urea and other body wastes. They also help the body maintain the proper level of fluid, produce hormones that control blood pressure and make red blood cells, and activate vitamin D to maintain healthy bones. They are bean shaped and located in the retroperitoneal space.

Roughly 150–200 quarts of blood are processed every day, producing 1–2 quarts of urine.

How much blood is processed every day? How many quarts of urine are produced?

renal

Word meaning pertaining to the kidneys

ren

Word part meaning kidney

Retroperitoneal space

Area behind the peritoneum and is the location of the kidneys which are on each side of the vertebral column below the diaphragm and the lower edge of the rib cage

Renal cortex

The outer region of the kidney. This layer of tissue contains more than one million microscopic units called nephrons.

Cortex

Outer portion of an organ

Medulla

the inner region of the kidney, and it contains most of the urine-collecting tubules.

Tubule

A small tube

Nephrons

Microscopic functional units of each kidney. It is here that urine is produced through the processes of filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.

Reabsorption

The return to the blood of some of the substances that were removed during filtration.

glomerulus / glomeruli

A cluster of capillaries found in every nephron, surrounded by a cup-shaped membrane called the Bowman’s capsule, and a renal tubule. This is where blood is filtered.

A cup-shaped membrane called the Bowman’s capsule, and a renal tubule.

What surrounds a glomerulus

Renal artery

Blood enters the kidney through the _

Renal vein

This is where blood exits the kidneys

renal tubules

Filtrate flows into _

Renal pelvis

The funnel-shaped area inside each kidney that is surrounded by the renal cortex and medulla. This is where the newly formed urine from the nephrons collects before it flows into the ureters.

Ureters

Two narrow tubes, each about 10 to 12 inches long, which transport urine from the kidney to the bladder.

Peristalsis

Wave like movements that move urine down the ureter into the bladder.

Ureteral orifices

Urine drains from ureters into bladders through __ in the walls of the bladder

Orifice

Opening

Urinary bladder

Oval, hollow, muscular organ that is a reservoir for urine before it is excreted from the body. It is located in the anterior portion of the pelvic cavity behind the pubic symphysis. Holds with 1 pint of urine.

Rugae

Folds in the bladder that allows it to expand.

Urethra

The tube extending from the bladder to the exterior of the body.

Urinary sphincters

Two muscular rings located on either end of the urethra. These rings control the flow of the urine from the bladder into the urethra and out the urethra through the urethral meatus.

Urethral meatus / urinary meatus

The external opening of the urethra

Meatus

external opening of a canal.

Female urethra

Approximately 1.5 inches long, and the urethral meatus is located between the clitoris and the opening of the vagina. Only caries urine

Male urethra

Approximately 8 inches long, and the urethral meatus is located at the tip of the penis. Carries both urine and semen

Prostate gland

Part of the male reproductive system, surrounds the urethra. Disorders that affects the ability for males to urinate.

Urination / voiding / micturition

As the bladder fills up with urine, pressure is placed on the base of the urethra, resulting in the urge to excrete urine. It requires the coordinated contraction of the bladder muscles and relaxation of the sphincters. This action forces the urine through the urethra and out through the urethral meatus.

Nephrologist

A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the kidneys.

nephr

Word part meaning kidney

Urologist

A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the urinary system of females and the genitourinary system of males.

ur

Word part meaning urine

Nephropathy

Any disease of the kidney. This includes both degenerative and inflammatory conditions.

Diabetic nephropathy

Kidney disease resulting from poorly controlled diabetes mellitus.

Renal Failure / kidney failure

The inability of one or both of the kidneys to perform their functions. The body cannot replace damaged nephrons, and when too many nephrons have been destroyed.

Azotemia

An elevation of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) caused by a lack of blood flow to each kidney. Uremia can occur when this excess becomes toxic.

Uremia / uremic poisoning

A toxic condition resulting from renal failure in which kidney function is compromised and urea and other waste products normally secreted in the urine are retained in the blood

Acute renal failure (ARF)

Has sudden onset and is characterized by uremia. It can be fatal if not reversed promptly. This condition can be caused by the kidneys not receiving enough blood to filter due to dehydration or a sudden drop in blood volume or blood pressure from injury, burns, or a severe infection.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

The progressive loss of renal function over months or years. This common condition, which can be life-threatening, may result from diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or a family history of kidney disease. The buildup of waste in the blood can be a factor in heart attacks and strokes.

End-stage renal disease / kidney failure

The final stage of chronic kidney disease, and this condition is fatal unless the functions of the failed kidneys are replaced by dialysis, or with a successful kidney transplant. (ESRD)

Nephrotic syndrome / nephrosis

A group of conditions in which excessive amounts of protein are lost through the urine. This condition, which is usually caused by damage to the glomeruli, results in abnormally low levels of protein in the blood. Causes can include diabetes mellitus, infection, and kidney disorders.

Edema

Excessive fluid accumulation in body tissues that can be symptomatic of nephrotic syndrome and other kidney diseases. This swelling can be in the area around the eyes, or in the legs and feet.

Hyperproteinuria

The presence of abnormally high concentrations of protein in the urine.

Hypoproteinemia

The presence of abnormally low concentrations of protein in the blood.

Minimal change disease

The nephrons look normal under a regular microscope, is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children.

Ectopic kidney

A congenital condition in which one kidney is located in an abnormal position or has fused with the other kidney. This condition can be associated with an increased risk of urinary tract infections and nephroliths.

ec-

Word part meaning out

top

Word part meaning place

Hydronephrosis

The dilation (swelling) of one or both kidneys. This condition can be caused by problems associated with the backing up of urine due to an obstruction such as a nephrolith (kidney stone) or a stricture (narrowing) in the ureter.

hydr/o

Would part meaning water

Nephritis

An inflammation of the kidney or kidneys. The most common causes are toxins, infection, or an autoimmune disease.

Glomerulonephritis

A type of nephritis caused by inflammation of the glomeruli that causes red blood cells and proteins to leak into the urine.

glomerul/o

Word part meaning glomeruli

Pyonephrosis / nephropyosis

Suppuration (formation of puss) of the kidney often associated with hydronephrosis.

suppuration

Formation of pus

py/o

Word part meaning pus

Polycystic kidney disease

A genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys. These cysts, which slowly replace much of the mass of the kidney, reduce the kidney function, which eventually leads to kidney failure (PKD)

Renal colic

An acute pain in the kidney area that is caused by blockage during the passage of a nephrolith (kidney stone). Spasms sometimes comes in waves due to the peristaltic movement of the ureters.

Colic

Spasms of pain in the abdomen.

Renal cell carcinoma

The most common form of kidney cancer in adults. It can cause flank pain and blood in the urine, but is most commonly asymptomatic until the tumor has grown enough to impair kidney function.

Wilms tumor / nephroblastoma

A rare type of malignant tumor of the kidney that occurs in young children. There is a high cure rate for this condition when treated promptly.

Stone / calculus

An abnormal mineral deposit that has formed within the body and is named for the organ or tissue where it is located (plural, calculi). These vary in size from small sand-like granules that pass through the body unnoticed. They form when waste products in the urine separate and crystallize.Normally, urine contains chemicals to prevent this from happening; however, dehydration and other factors may disrupt this balance. They can become lodged, causing acute pain and urinary tract obstruction.

Nephrolithiasis

Describes the presence of stones in the kidney. As these stones travel with the flow of urine, they are named for the location where they become lodged.

lithiasis

Word part meaning presence of stones

urinary tract obstruction

A blockage that prevents the flow of urine in one part of the urinary tract. They are named for their locations, and are commonly caused by stones, congenital abnormalities, or an enlarged prostate.

Nephrolith / kidney stone / renal calculus

stone found in the kidney.

Ureterolith

A stone located anywhere along the ureter

ureter/o

Word part meaning ureter

Cystolith

A stone located within the urinary bladder.

cyst/o

Word part meaning bladder

Hydroureter

The distention (swelling) of the ureter with urine that cannot flow because of a ureteral obstruction. They always accompany hydronephrosis.

Ureteral obstruction

A blockage of one or both ureters. It can be due to congenital abnormality, a ureterolith, or other disorders.

Ureterorrhagia

The discharge of blood from the ureter.

-rrhagia

Word part meaning bleeding

Cystalgia / cystodynia

Mean pain in the bladder

Cystocele / prolapsed bladder

Hernia of the bladder through the vaginal wall. This sometimes occurs as a result of pregnancy or childbirth.

-cele

Word part meaning hernia

Interstitial cystitis

A chronic inflammation within the walls of the bladder. The symptoms of this condition are similar to those of cystitis; however, they do not respond to traditional treatment.

Interstitial

Spaces within a tissue or organ.

Vesicoureteral reflux

The backward flow of urine into the ureters from the bladder. It is most common in infants and children. (VUR)

vesic/o

Word part meaning bladder

Vesicovaginal fistula

An abnormal opening between the bladder and vagina that allows constant involuntary flow of urine from the bladder into the vagina. May be caused by prolonged labor during childbirth or surgery such as a hysterectomy.

vesic/o

Word part meaning bladder

fistula

An abnormal passage between two internal organs

Neurogenic bladder

A urinary problem caused by interference with the normal nerve pathways associated with urination. The bladder may empty spontaneously, resulting in incontinence, or the problem can prevent the bladder from emptying at all or from emptying completely. This can result in urinary retention with overflow leakage. Some of the causes of this condition are a tumor of the nervous system, trauma, neuropathy, or an inflammatory condition such as multiple sclerosis.

-genic

Word part meaning created by

Benign prostatic hyperplasia / benign prostatic hypertrophy / enlarged prostate.

An enlargement of the prostate gland that most often occurs in men older than age 50. BPH

Hyperplasia

An increase in cell numbers typically associated with tumor growth; however, in this case, it is not caused by cancer or infection.