Urine and Kidneys - Part 1

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to urine and kidney function.

Urine

A liquid by-product of metabolism and the elimination of waste products.

Kidneys

Organs that filter blood, removing waste products and regulating water and electrolyte balance.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions in an organism.

Nephrons

The functional units of the kidney that filter blood and form urine.

Filtration

The process by which fluid and waste products are removed from the blood in the kidneys.

Reabsorption

The process in which certain substances are returned to the blood from the kidney tubules.

Secretion

The transfer of additional substances from bloodstream to renal tubules in the kidneys.

Urea

A waste product formed from the metabolism of proteins, excreted in urine.

Creatinine

A waste product of muscle metabolism, filtered out by the kidneys.

Glomerulus

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

Renal pelvis

The central part of the kidney where urine collects before it moves to the ureter.

Ureters

Tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Urinary bladder

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

Nephron loop

The part of a nephron that plays an important role in creating concentrated urine.

Proximal tubule

The part of the nephron where most reabsorption of nutrients occurs.

Distal tubule

A section of the nephron involved in the regulation of potassium, sodium, and pH.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

A hormone that helps the body retain water by increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys.

Aldosterone

A hormone that regulates sodium and potassium levels in the body.

Osmoregulation

The process of maintaining an optimal osmotic pressure in bodily fluids.

Diabetes insipidus

A condition in which the kidneys fail to conserve water, leading to excessive urination.

Renin

An enzyme secreted by the kidneys that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

Erythropoietin

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

Kidney stones

Solid masses made of crystals that form in the kidneys and can cause pain and blockage.

Hematuria

Presence of blood in urine, which can indicate a problem in the urinary tract.

Uremia

A condition involving abnormally high levels of waste products in the blood due to kidney failure.

Nephritis

Inflammation of the kidneys, which can impair their function.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

A long-term, progressive condition characterized by the gradual loss of kidney function.

Glomerulonephritis

An inflammation of the glomeruli that can lead to kidney damage.

Dialysis

A medical process to remove waste products from the blood in patients with kidney failure.

Transplantation

The surgical procedure of transferring a kidney from a donor to a recipient.

Urinalysis

A test that examines urine to assess health and detect diseases.

Urine concentration

The measure of how much solute is present in a given volume of urine.

Acid-base balance

The maintenance of the proper pH level in the body fluids.

Electrolytes

Minerals in the body that carry an electric charge and are essential for various bodily functions.

Renal failure

A condition where the kidneys are unable to filter waste products from the blood effectively.

Nephrotoxicity

The toxicity of certain substances that can damage the kidneys.

Lithotripsy

A medical procedure to break up kidney stones, allowing them to pass.

Urine output

The amount of urine produced by the kidneys over a specific period.

Hydration

The process of providing adequate fluid intake to maintain body fluid balance.

Fluid balance

The proper management of fluid intake and output in the body.