Kidneys, Ureters, & Suprarenal Glands

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the anatomy, functions, and conditions of the kidneys, ureters, and suprarenal glands.

Kidney

Bean-shaped organs that excrete waste products, regulate water, and maintain electrolyte balance.

Nephrolithiasis

The condition of having kidney stones.

Nephroptosis

An abnormal condition where the kidney drops down into the pelvis when the patient stands.

Suprarenal glands

Glands located on the upper poles of the kidneys that secrete hormones.

Fibrous capsule

The outer layer of tissue that surrounds the kidneys.

Perirenal fat

Fatty tissue surrounding the kidneys for protection and insulation.

Renal fascia

Connective tissue that encloses the kidneys and perirenal fat.

Renal pelvis

The funnel-shaped structure in the kidney that collects urine from the calyces.

Ureter

The tube that carries urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder.

Cortex

The outer part of the kidney containing nephrons.

Medulla

The inner part of the kidney, composed of renal pyramids.

Glomerulus

A network of capillaries involved in filtering blood to form urine.

Renal artery

The blood vessel supplying blood to the kidneys.

Renal vein

The blood vessel that drains blood away from the kidneys.

Ureters

The tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Pheochromocytoma

A tumor of the adrenal medulla that secretes catecholamines.

Renal calyces

Structures that collect urine from the renal pyramids.

Renal colic

Severe pain caused by a kidney stone obstructing the ureter.

Horseshoe kidney

A congenital condition where the lower poles of the kidneys are fused.

Renal agenesis

Failure of one or both kidneys to develop.

Acid-base balance

The regulation of pH levels in the blood by the kidneys.

Staghorn calculi

Large kidney stones that take the shape of the renal pelvis.

Urethra

The duct through which urine is expelled from the body.

Calyces

The cup-shaped structures that collect urine from the renal papillae.

Renal columns

Tissue between the renal pyramids that contains blood vessels.

Diaphragm

The muscle that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.

Vasa recta

Blood vessels that supply the renal medulla.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtering blood.

Urine

The liquid waste product formed by the kidneys.

Crista

The ridge of tissue in the kidney, particularly within the renal pelvis.

Corticosteroids

Steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex.

Aldosterone

A hormone that regulates sodium and potassium balance.

Cortisol

A hormone involved in stress response and metabolism.

Sympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic nervous system that stimulates the fight or flight response.

Segmentation of renal arteries

The division of the renal artery into several segmental arteries.

Inferior vena cava

The large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart.

Pelviureteric junction

The point where the renal pelvis narrows to become the ureter.

Minor calyx

A cup-like structure that collects urine from the renal papillae.

Major calyx

A larger cup-like structure formed by the joining of minor calyces.

Back pain

Pain that can be referred from kidney problems.

Hematuria

The presence of blood in urine.

Nausea

A feeling of discomfort in the stomach that may lead to vomiting.

Kidney transplant

The surgical procedure to place a healthy kidney from a donor into a person whose kidneys no longer function.

Perinephric abscess

An accumulation of pus within the perirenal fat tissue.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

A genetic condition affecting adrenal hormone production.

Ducts of Bellini

The ducts through which urine flows from the renal collecting ducts to the renal pelvis.

Glomerular filtration

The process of filtering blood to form urine.

Flank pain

Pain that occurs on the side of the body, often related to kidney issues.

Renal sinus

The cavity within the kidney that contains the renal pelvis and calyces.

L1 vertebra

The first lumbar vertebra where the hilum of the kidney is located.

T12 to L3

The vertebral levels where the kidneys are situated.

Preganglionic sympathetic fibers

Nerve fibers that originate in the central nervous system and synapse in ganglia.