Urinary System Terminology, Roots, Suffixes, and Abbreviations

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering urinary system anatomy, physiology, combining word roots, suffixes, and clinical abbreviations.

Bowman Capsule

Enclosing structure surrounding each glomerulus.

Calyx (Calix)

Cup-like collecting region of the renal pelvis.

Kidney

One of two bean-shaped organs behind the abdominal cavity that filters nitrogenous wastes from the bloodstream to form urine.

Glomerulus

Tiny ball of capillaries in the kidney.

Hilum

Depression in the part of an organ where blood vessels and nerves enter and leave.

Meatus

Opening or canal.

Micturition

Urination.

Nephron

Functional unit of the kidney where filtration, reabsorption, and secretion take place.

Reabsorption

Process where renal tubules return materials necessary to the body back into the bloodstream.

Renal Artery

Blood vessel that carries blood to the kidney.

Renin

An enzymatic hormone synthesized, stored, and secreted by the kidney.

Renal Pelvis

Central collection region in the kidney.

Renal Tubule

Microscopic tube in the kidney where urine is formed after filtration.

Renal Vein

Blood vessel that carries blood away from the kidney and toward the heart.

Ureter

Tube leading from each kidney to the urinary bladder.

Urethra

Tube leading from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body.

Voiding

Emptying of urine from the urinary bladder; urination or micturition.

Arteriole

Small artery.

Catheter

Tube for injecting or removing fluids.

Creatinine

Nitrogenous waste excreted in urine.

Cortex

Outer region of an organ.

Electrolyte

Chemical element that carries an electrical charge when dissolved in water (e.g., potassium and sodium).

Erythropoietin (EPO)

Hormone secreted by the kidney to stimulate production of red blood cells by bone marrow.

Filtration

Passive process whereby some substances pass through a filter.

Medulla

Inner region of an organ.

Nitrogenous Waste

Substance containing nitrogen and excreted in urine.

Potassium (K+)

An electrolyte regulated by the kidney.

Sodium (Na+)

An electrolyte regulated in the blood and urine by the kidneys.

Trigone

Triangular area in the urinary bladder where ureters enter and the urethra exits.

Urination

Process of expelling urine.

Urinary Bladder

Hollow muscular sac that holds and stores urine.

Uric Acid

Nitrogenous waste product excreted in the urine.

Urea

Major nitrogenous waste product excreted in urine.

cali/o, calic/o

Calyx (calix).

cyst/o

Urinary bladder.

glomerul/o

Glomerulus.

meat/o

Meatus.

nephr/o

Kidney.

pyel/o

Renal pelvis.

ren/o

Kidney.

trigon/o

Trigone.

albumin/o

Albumin.

azot/o

Nitrogen.

bacteri/o

Bacteria.

dips/o

Thirst.

ket/o, keton/o

Ketone bodies.

lith/o

Stone.

noct/o

Night.

olig/o

Scanty.

py/o

Pus.

ur/o

Urine (urea).

urin/o

Urine.

-poietin

Substance that forms.

-tripsy

To crush.

-uria

Urination; urine condition.

ADH

Antidiuretic hormone.

ARF

Acute renal failure.

BILI

Bilirubin.

BUN

Blood urea nitrogen.

CAPD

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

CATH

Catheter; catheterization.

CCPD

Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis.

CKD

Chronic kidney disease.

CL-

Chloride, electrolyte excreted by kidney.

CRF

Chronic renal failure.

C&S

Culture and sensitivity testing.

CYSTO

Cystoscopic examination.

ESRD

End-stage renal disease.

HCO3-

Bicarbonate, an electrolyte conserved by the kidney.

HD

Hemodialysis.

IC

Interstitial cystitis, chronic inflammation of the bladder wall.

KUB

Kidney, ureter and bladder.

PD

Peritoneal dialysis.

pH

Symbol for degree of acidity or alkalinity.

PKU

Phenylketonuria.

SP GR

Specific gravity.

UA

Urinalysis.

UTI

Urinary tract infection.

VCUG

Voiding cystourethrogram.