Urinary System

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts about the Urinary System from the lecture notes.

Urochrome

A pigment from hemoglobin breakdown that gives urine its color.

Specific gravity

The quantity of solutes per unit volume of urine, ranging from 1.001 to 1.035.

Nitrogenous wastes

Waste products derived from the metabolism of proteins and nucleic acids, including urea, uric acid, and creatinine.

Urea

A nitrogenous waste product formed from the breakdown of amino acids.

Uric acid

A nitrogenous waste product formed from the breakdown of nucleic acids.

Creatinine

A nitrogenous waste derived from creatine phosphate, important in energy metabolism.

Micturition

The process of urination or voiding urine from the bladder.

Detrusor muscle

Smooth muscle of the bladder that contracts during micturition.

Trigone

The triangular area in the bladder formed by the openings of the ureters and the urethra.

Transitional epithelium

Type of epithelium that lines the bladder and allows for expansion.

Peristalsis

The wave-like muscular contractions that propel urine through the ureters.

Renal cortex

Outer region of the kidney that contains nephrons.

Renal medulla

Inner region of the kidney that contains pyramids and is involved in urine concentration.

Glomerulus

A network of capillaries within the renal corpuscle where filtration occurs.

Bowman’s capsule

Cup-like structure that encases the glomerulus and collects filtrate.

Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)

Part of the nephron where most reabsorption occurs.

Loop of Henle

Section of the nephron involved in concentrating urine and reabsorbing water and salt.

Distal convoluted tubule (DCT)

Segment of the nephron that continues from the loop of Henle and is involved in further adjusting the filtrate.

Collecting duct

Final part of the nephron that collects urine from multiple nephrons.

Filtration

The process of removing water and solutes from the blood into the Bowman’s capsule.

Reabsorption

The process of reclaiming most filtrate from the tubular system back into the blood.

Secretion

The process of transferring substances from the blood into the tubular fluid.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System

Hormonal mechanism that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Hormone that increases water reabsorption in the collecting ducts.

Aldosterone

Hormone that promotes sodium retention and increases blood pressure.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)

Hormone that reduces blood volume and pressure by promoting sodium excretion.

Parathyroid hormone

Regulates calcium levels in the blood by increasing calcium reabsorption in the kidneys.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

Hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production.

Vitamin D synthesis

The process by which the kidneys activate vitamin D.

Hydrostatic pressure

The pressure exerted by fluids in the body, important for filtration in the kidneys.

Passive process

A process that does not require energy, such as filtration.

Active transport

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

Diffusion

The movement of solutes from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Facilitated diffusion

Passive transport aided by carrier proteins in membranes.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Kidney

Organ responsible for filtering blood, regulating fluid balance, and adjusting electrolytes.

Renal fat pad

Layer of fat that surrounds and protects the kidneys.

Renal hilum

The entry and exit site for the renal arteries, veins, and ureters.

Sympathetic nerves

Nerves that can constrict blood vessels and influence kidney function.

Autoregulation

The kidney's ability to maintain steady blood flow and filtration rate despite changes in systemic blood pressure.

Metabolic wastes

Byproducts of metabolism that are excreted by the kidneys.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions in an organism.

Amino acids

Building blocks of proteins, involved in various metabolic processes.

Nephrons

Functional units of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming urine.

Glomerular filtration

The process of filtering blood in the glomerulus to form urine.

Hydration status

Refers to body's fluid balance and water levels.

Concentration gradient

The difference in concentration of a substance across a distance.

Urethra

The duct through which urine exits the body from the bladder.

Urinary bladder

The organ that temporarily stores urine before it is excreted.

Major calyces

The larger branching structures of the renal pelvis that collect urine from the minor calyces.

Minor calyces

Small tubular structures that collect urine from the renal pyramids.

Peritubular capillaries

Capillaries that surround renal tubules and facilitate reabsorption.

Efferent arteriole

Blood vessel that carries blood away from the glomerulus.

Afferent arteriole

Blood vessel that supplies blood to the glomerulus.

Renal columns

Tissue that separates the renal pyramids.

Papilla

The tip of the renal pyramid that drains urine into minor calyces.

Urinary system

The organ system responsible for the production, storage, and elimination of urine.

Acid-base balance

The mechanism by which the body maintains the pH balance of its fluids.

Electrolytes

Mineral compounds in the body that conduct electricity and are essential for various physiological functions.

Toxins

Substances that can cause harm to the body, typically removed by the kidneys.

Body position changes

Physical alterations in the position of the body that may affect kidney function and blood flow.

Kidney stones

Mineral deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause pain and urinary obstruction.

Bacteria in urine

Presence of microbes in urine that may indicate infection.

Protein in urine

Typically a sign of kidney dysfunction or damage.

Blood in urine

A potential indicator of serious health issues, often requiring medical evaluation.

White blood cells (WBCs) in urine

Indicates potential infection or inflammation in the urinary system.

Uric acid levels

Measurement useful for assessing conditions like gout.

Kidney function tests

A variety of tests used to assess the performance and health of the kidneys.