Urinary System

Kidneys

Organs responsible for filtering blood, removing waste products, and regulating fluid and electrolyte balance.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney, consisting of a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule.

Glomerulus

A network of small blood vessels (capillaries) within the renal corpuscle where blood filtration begins.

Bowman’s Capsule

The cup-shaped structure that surrounds the glomerulus in the renal corpuscle and collects the filtrate.

Loop of Henle

The U-shaped part of the renal tubule involved in concentrating urine by reabsorbing water and salts.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)

The initial segment of the renal tubule where reabsorption of water and solutes occurs.

Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT)

The segment of the renal tubule where fine-tuning of water and electrolyte balance occurs.

Collecting Duct

A structure that receives urine from multiple nephrons and transports it to the renal pelvis.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hormone that promotes water reabsorption in the kidneys, reducing urine volume.

Diuretics

Substances that increase urine production.

Renal Capsule

The fibrous covering that surrounds each kidney.

Renal Cortex

The outer layer of the kidney, containing nephrons.

Renal Medulla

The inner part of the kidney, containing renal pyramids.

Renal Sinus

The internal space within the kidney, containing blood vessels, nerves, and the renal pelvis.

Renal Pelvis

The funnel-shaped structure that collects urine from the calyces and funnels it into the ureter.

Renal Pyramids

Triangular-shaped structures in the renal medulla containing collecting ducts and tubules.

Ureter

Tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Renal Artery

Blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood to the kidneys.

Renal Veins

Blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood away from the kidneys.

Capillaries

Tiny blood vessels that facilitate the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and waste products between the blood and surrounding tissues.

Bladder

A muscular organ that stores urine.

Sphincter

A circular muscle that regulates the passage of substances through a tubular structure, such as the urinary sphincters controlling urine flow.

Urethra

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

UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections)

Infections affecting any part of the urinary system.

Cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder.

Kidney Stones

Hard deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause pain and obstruction of urine flow.

Incontinence

Inability to control the release of urine.

Hilus

The indented area on the concave side of the kidney where blood vessels and the ureter enter and exit.

Peristalsis

Wave-like muscular contractions that propel substances through tubular structures, such as the ureters.

Dialysis

A medical procedure that replicates some of the functions of the kidneys, removing waste and excess fluids from the blood.