Kidney and Urine Review Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards to review kidney structure, function, and urinalysis.

Cortex (Kidney)

The outer layer of the kidney.

Medulla (Kidney)

The inner portion of the kidney.

Medullary Pyramids

Triangle-shaped sections inside the medulla of the kidney.

Papilla (Kidney)

The tip of each medullary pyramid where urine starts to flow out.

Pelvis (Kidney)

The funnel-shaped area inside the kidney that collects urine and connects to the ureter.

Calluses (Kidney)

Small chambers that collect urine from the papilla and pass it to the pelvis; also known as Calyces.

Nephron

The tiny filtering unit of the kidney; each kidney has over a million of them.

Renal Corpuscle

Part of the nephron containing the Bowman's capsule and glomerulus.

Bowman's Capsule

A cup-shaped structure that catches the filtered substances from the blood in the nephron.

Glomerulus

A ball of capillaries inside the Bowman's capsule where filtration begins.

Renal Tubule

Part of the nephron containing the proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting tubule.

Proximal Convoluted Tubule

The first part of the renal tubule; reabsorbs water, glucose, and nutrients.

Loop of Henle

A U-shaped section of the renal tubule with a descending limb (water leaves) and an ascending limb (salts leave).

Distal Convoluted Tubule

Part of the renal tubule that reabsorbs more water and salts and is involved in secretion.

Collecting Tubule

The final part of the renal tubule that carries urine to the renal pelvis.

Filtration (Kidney)

The process where blood pressure pushes water and small molecules from the glomerulus into the Bowman's capsule.

Reabsorption (Kidney)

Water and needed substances move back into the blood, mostly in the proximal tubule.

Secretion (Kidney)

Extra substances are removed from the blood and added to the urine in the distal tubule and collecting duct.

ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone)

Hormone from the posterior pituitary gland; more ADH equals less urine, and less ADH equals more urine.

Osmolarity (Urine)

Measures the concentration of dissolved particles in urine.

Ureters

Narrow tubes that move urine from the kidneys to the bladder; lined with a mucous membrane.

Urinary Bladder

A hollow muscular organ that stores urine; lined with a mucous membrane that folds (rugae) to allow it to stretch.

Urethra

The tube from the bladder to the outside of the body.

Urinary Meatus

The external opening of the urethra.

Urination (Micturition)

The process of emptying the bladder.

Internal Sphincter

Involuntary muscle that controls urine flow.

External Sphincter

Voluntary muscle used to hold or release urine.

Urinary Retention

The bladder doesn't empty.

Urinary Suppression

No urine is made.

Incontinence

Involuntary urination.

Cystitis

A bladder infection, often from retention.

Urinalysis

A test that checks the contents of urine to help diagnose kidney disease, metabolic disease, and drug use.

Macroscopic Exam (Urinalysis)

Looks at the appearance, color, and clarity of urine.

Chemical Analysis (Urinalysis)

Tests with strips to measure pH, specific gravity, ketones, protein, and glucose.

Microscopic Exam (Urinalysis)

Examination under a microscope to identify cells and crystals in urine.