Urinary System and Kidney Function

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes about the urinary system and kidney function.

Urinary System

The organ system responsible for filtering blood, removing waste, and regulating blood volume, ion concentrations, and pH.

Kidney

A pair of bean-shaped organs that filter blood and produce urine.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney, consisting of glomerulus and tubules that filter blood and produce urine.

Homeostasis

The process of maintaining a stable internal environment in the body.

Filtration

The first step in urine formation where blood plasma is filtered into the renal tubule.

Reabsorption

The process of taking back important substances from the filtrate into the bloodstream.

Secretion

The process of adding additional wastes to the filtrate from the blood.

Glomerulus

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

Glomerular Capsule

A cup-shaped structure that surrounds the glomerulus and collects the filtrate.

Renal Tubule

The duct where filtration occurs in the nephron, consisting of proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, and distal convoluted tubule.

Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)

The first segment of the renal tubule where most reabsorption occurs.

Loop of Henle

The hairpin-shaped portion of the nephron that concentrates urine and reabsorbs water.

Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT)

The segment of the nephron where further adjustment of filtrate occurs before entering the collecting duct.

Collecting Duct

The final structure in the nephron that collects urine from multiple nephrons.

Urea

A less toxic compound produced from ammonia that is excreted in urine.

Ammonia (NH3)

A toxic byproduct of amino acid metabolism that the liver converts to urea.

Retroperitoneal

Referring to the location of the kidneys behind the peritoneum.

Renal Arteries

Blood vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the kidneys.

Filtrate

Fluid that is filtered from the blood, containing water, ions, glucose, and waste products.

Peristalsis

The wave-like muscle contractions that move urine through the ureters.

Osmoregulation

The process of regulating water and ion balance in the body.

Hypertonic

A solution with a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution.

Hypotonic

A solution with a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution.

Isotonic

A solution with an equal concentration of solutes compared to another solution.

Blood Pressure

The pressure exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels.

Ion Concentration

The amount of specific ions present in a solution, critical for physiological processes.

Acid-base balance

The mechanism that maintains the pH of body fluids within a narrow range.

Diuresis

Increased or excessive production of urine.

Dehydration

A condition resulting from excessive loss of body fluids.

Urinary Bladder

A muscular sac that stores urine until it is eliminated from the body.

Filtration Barrier

The structure formed by the glomerulus and glomerular capsule that selectively allows substances to pass.

Macula Densa

A group of specialized cells in the distal convoluted tubule that detect sodium concentration.

Renin

An enzyme secreted by the kidneys that regulates blood pressure.

Erythropoietin

A hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production.

Vasa Recta

The capillary network in the kidney closely associated with nephron loops.

Tubular Reabsorption

The process by which the nephron takes back substances from the filtrate into the blood.

Tubular Secretion

The transfer of materials from blood into the nephron.

Salt Concentration Gradient

A difference in salt concentration that drives water reabsorption in the kidneys.

Interstitial Fluid

Fluid that surrounds cells and fills the spaces between them.

Ammonia-scented cycle

The recycling of urea in the kidneys that enhances the kidney's ability to concentrate urine.

Amino Acids

Building blocks of proteins that contain nitrogen.

Nitrogenous Waste

Wastes that contain nitrogen, such as urea, produced from protein metabolism.

Collecting Duct System

Interconnected ducts in the kidney where urine is collected and concentrated.

Tubular Transport Maximum (Tm)

The maximum rate at which substances can be reabsorbed or secreted by the tubules.

Excretion

The elimination of waste products from the body.

Sodium-Potassium Pump

A protein that pumps sodium out of cells and potassium into cells, consuming ATP.

Ureter

The duct through which urine passes from the kidney to the bladder.

Renal Cortex

The outer layer of the kidney that contains renal corpuscles and tubules.

Renal Medulla

The inner region of the kidney responsible for urine concentration.

Renal Pelvis

The funnel-shaped structure that collects urine from the kidneys.

Convoluted Tubule

A segment of the nephron that is twisted, facilitating reabsorption and secretion.

Glycosuria

The presence of glucose in the urine, often a sign of diabetes.

Proteinuria

The presence of protein in urine, indicating possible kidney damage.

Hydration

The process of providing adequate fluids to maintain bodily functions.

Passive Transport

The movement of substances across cell membranes without the need for energy.

Active Transport

The movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hormone that regulates water absorption in the kidneys.

Aldosterone

A hormone that regulates sodium and potassium balance in the kidneys.

Tubular Fluid

Fluid that flows through the renal tubules after filtration.

Filtration Rate

The volume of fluid filtered from the blood into the nephron per unit time.

Calcium Homeostasis

The regulation of calcium levels in the body, influenced by the kidneys.

Magnesium Balance

The maintenance of magnesium levels in the body, regulated by the kidneys.

Lithotripsy

A medical procedure that breaks down kidney stones using shock waves.

Kidney Stones

Solid mineral deposits that form in the kidneys, causing pain and obstruction.

Urinary Retention

Inability to empty the bladder completely.

Kidney Disease

A range of disorders that affect kidney function.

Nephronopathy

A rare genetic disorder affecting the nephrons within the kidneys.

Chronic Kidney Disease

A gradual loss of kidney function over time.

Acute Kidney Injury

Sudden impairment of kidney function due to various causes.

Dialysis

A medical procedure to filter waste from the blood when the kidneys fail.

Kidney Transplant

Surgical procedure where a healthy kidney is placed into a person with kidney failure.

Renal Failure

A condition in which the kidneys lose the ability to filter waste from the blood.

Hormonal Regulation

The process by which hormones influence kidney function and fluid balance.

Fluid Volume Regulation

The mechanism by which the kidneys control the volume of fluids in the body.

Extracellular Fluid

Fluid outside of cells, including interstitial fluid and blood plasma.