Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology - The Urinary System

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the urinary system as presented in the lecture.

Urinary System

A system in the body responsible for the production and excretion of urine, including the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.

Kidneys

Organs that filter blood, excreting waste products in urine and regulating blood pressure, electrolytes, and acid-base balance.

Glomerulus

A knot of capillaries in the renal corpuscle where blood filtration takes place.

Renal pelvis

The funnel-shaped structure that collects urine from the calyces and leads to the ureter.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney, comprising the renal corpuscle and renal tubule, responsible for urine formation.

Filtration

The process by which kidneys filter blood, removing waste products and excess substances.

Erythropoietin

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

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

A hormone that regulates water balance in the body by promoting water reabsorption in the kidneys.

Micturition

The process of voiding or emptying the urinary bladder.

Ureters

Slender tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

Urethra

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

Calyces

Cup-shaped structures that collect urine from the renal pyramids and funnel it into the renal pelvis.

Acidosis

A condition characterized by a lower than normal blood pH, typically below 7.35.

Alkalosis

A condition characterized by a higher than normal blood pH, typically above 7.45.

Homeostasis

The process by which biological systems maintain stability while adjusting to changing external conditions.

Detrusor muscle

The smooth muscle layer of the bladder that contracts to expel urine.

Podocytes

Specialized cells in the glomerular capsule that form filtration slits and wrap around the glomerulus.

Renin

An enzyme produced by the kidneys that helps regulate blood pressure.

Urine

The liquid waste product produced by the kidneys, containing water, urea, creatinine, and other substances.

Nitrogenous wastes

Waste products from protein metabolism, primarily urea, uric acid, and creatinine, excreted in urine.

Filtrate

The fluid that passes through the renal tubule after filtration, containing water and solutes but not proteins.

Distal Convoluted Tubule

What tubule does the ADH go to?

Renal Hilum

Entrance for structures including ureters, renal vessels, and nerves

Fibrous capsule

Which protective layer encloses the kidneys?

Renal Corpuscle

Composed of glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule

Renal Tubule

Subdivided into proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), nephron loop, and distal convoluted tubule (DCT)

Cortical

_____ nephrons are located in the cortex

Juxtamedullary

______ nephrons located at the cortex medulla junction

Proximal Convoluted Tubule, Nephron Loop, Distal Convoluted Tubule

3 stages of renal tubule

Gout

Increase of uric acid

Urea

End product of protein breakdown

Lumbar Plexus

______ gives sensation when you need to urinate