Urinary System Anatomy and Functions

These flashcards cover the anatomy, components, and functions of the urinary system, focusing on key terms and concepts for effective study and memorization.

Urinary System

System that includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, responsible for filtering blood and removing waste.

Kidneys

Organs that filter blood to produce urine; located bilaterally in the abdominal cavity.

Renal Hilum

The medial margin of the kidney where blood vessels, nerves, and ureters enter and exit the kidney.

Nephrons

Functional units of the kidney involved in filtering blood and forming urine.

Glomerulus

A tuft of capillaries in the nephron where blood filtration occurs.

Filtrate

The fluid that passes through the glomerulus into the renal tubule, containing waste and other substances.

Tubular Reabsorption

Process by which the nephron reabsorbs water and necessary solutes back into the blood from the filtrate.

Tubular Secretion

Process of transferring substances from the blood into the renal tubule to be excreted in urine.

Micturition

The process of urination; involves the contraction of bladder muscles and the relaxation of sphincters.

Renin

Hormone released by the kidneys that helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance.

Erythropoietin

Hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow.

Calcium Regulation

Function of the kidneys in maintaining calcium levels through the activation of vitamin D.

Renal Arteries

Major blood vessels that supply blood to the kidneys directly from the abdominal aorta.

Peritubular Capillaries

Capillaries that surround the renal tubules and are involved in reabsorbing fluids from the filtrate.

Ureters

Muscular tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

Urinary Bladder

Elastic muscular sac that stores urine until micturition.

Transitional Epithelium

Type of epithelium found in the urinary bladder that allows for stretching and expansion.

Detrusor Muscle

Smooth muscle of the bladder wall responsible for contraction during micturition.

Juxtaglomerular Apparatus

Structure in the nephron that regulates blood pressure and filtration rate in the kidneys.

Loop of Henle

Part of the nephron that concentrates urine by exchanging water and salts.

Proximal Convoluted Tubule

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

Distal Convoluted Tubule

Segment of the nephron that further modifies the filtrate as it passes to collect ducts.

Renal Pelvis

Funnel-like structure that collects urine from the calyces and directs it into the ureters.

Minor and Major Calyces

Structures that collect urine from the pyramids of the kidneys and feed it into the renal pelvis.

Afferent Arteriole

Blood vessel that carries blood into the glomerulus.

Efferent Arteriole

Blood vessel that carries blood away from the glomerulus.

Segmental Arteries

Branches of the renal arteries that supply specific segments of the kidney.

Gluconeogenesis

Process whereby the kidneys produce glucose during starvation, alongside the liver.