Urinary Terminology

Urinary system

The kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra; responsible for urine production and waste removal.

Kidney

An organ that filters blood and regulates fluids, electrolytes, acid-base balance, and blood pressure.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney.

Glomerulus

A network of capillaries where blood filtration begins.

Bowman's capsule

A cup-shaped structure surrounding the glomerulus that collects filtrate.

Renal tubule

The part of the nephron where filtrate is modified.

Loop of Henle

A nephron structure important for concentrating urine.

Collecting duct

A structure that receives filtrate and helps regulate water balance.

Ureter

A tube carrying urine from a kidney to the bladder.

Urinary bladder

A muscular organ that stores urine.

Urethra

A tube carrying urine from the bladder out of the body.

Filtration

Movement of water and small substances from blood into the nephron.

Reabsorption

Movement of useful substances from filtrate back into blood.

Secretion

Movement of substances from blood into the renal tubule.

Diuresis

Increased production of urine.

Micturition

Urination; emptying the bladder.

Urinalysis

Laboratory examination of urine.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

An infection of part of the urinary tract.

Cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder, often caused by infection.

Pyelonephritis

A bacterial infection of the kidney.

Nephritis

Inflammation of the kidney.

Glomerulonephritis

Inflammation or damage involving kidney glomeruli.

Nephrolithiasis

Kidney stones.

Acute kidney injury (AKI)

A sudden decrease in kidney function.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Progressive long-term loss of kidney function.

Renal failure

Severe loss of kidney function.

Dialysis

A treatment that removes wastes and excess fluid from blood when kidneys cannot.

Hemodialysis

Dialysis that filters blood through a machine.

Peritoneal dialysis

Dialysis using the peritoneum as the filtering membrane.

Hematuria

Blood in the urine.

Proteinuria

Abnormally high protein in the urine.

Glycosuria

Glucose in the urine.

Polyuria

Excessive urination.

Dysuria

Painful or difficult urination.

Oliguria

Abnormally low urine output.

Anuria

Absence or near absence of urine production.

Incontinence

Inability to control urination.