Assessment of the Urinary/Renal System

Flashcards covering the anatomical structures, physiological functions, assessment procedures, age-related changes, and terminology of the urinary system based on the lecture material.

Urinary System

A body system whose primary functions are to maintain homeostasis, regulate electrolytes and fluids, eliminate waste products, maintain blood pressure, participate in red blood cell production, and assist in bone metabolism.

Kidneys

Paired organs weighing approximately $130\,\text{gms}$ located retroperitoneally on the posterior abdominal wall from T12 to L3, with the right kidney positioned slightly lower due to the liver.

Renal Medulla

The inner portion of the kidney consisting of ducts that drain into the renal pelvis, where the composition and amount of urine do not change once it leaves the renal pelvis.

Renal Cortex

The outer portion of the kidney that contains the nephrons.

Ureters

Long fibromuscular tubes (one for each kidney) that connect the kidneys to the bladder, entering at an oblique angle to prevent flow blockage and propelling urine via peristalsis.

Urinary Bladder

A hollow, muscular organ located behind the pubic bone with an anatomic capacity of $1500\text{--}2000\,\text{mL}$, whose neck forms an internal sphincter made of smooth muscle.

Female Urethra Anatomy

The female urinary structure with an approximate length of $4\,\text{cm}$ that opens anterior to the vagina.

Male Urethra Anatomy

The male urinary structure with an approximate length of $20\,\text{cm}$ made up of three distinct sections.

Functional Capacity of the Bladder

The volume of urine ($350\,\text{mL}$) at which bladder stretching triggers a neural signal to the central nervous system (CNS), with stretching initial signals starting at approximately $150\text{--}350\,\text{mL}$.

Normal Urine Output

The baseline assessment rate for normal urine elimination, defined as $1\text{--}2\,\text{mL/kg/hr}$.

Physical Assessment of the Urinary System

A clinical examination procedure that includes inspection of the abdomen, percussion of the kidney, palpation of the kidney, percussion of the bladder, palpation of the bladder, and inspection of the urethral meatus.

Age-Related Urinary System Changes

Changes associated with aging, including reduced renal blood flow, thickened glomerular and tubular membranes, decreased tubule length, nocturnal polyuria with dehydration risk, and decreased glomerular filtration rate.

Micturition

The medical term for urination.

Nocturia

Excessive urination occurring at night.

Oliguria

Abnormally low urine output defined as less than $400\,\text{mL}$ per day.

Anuria

Extreme reduction or cessation of urine output, defined as less than $50\,\text{mL}$ a day.

Polyuria

Excessive or abnormally large volume of urine output.

Haematuria

Blood-stained urine or the presence of red blood cells detected in a full ward test (FWT).

Dysuria

Painful or difficult voiding of urine.

Enuresis

Involuntary voiding of urine during sleep.

Incontinence

Involuntary loss of urine.

Internal Kidney Structure

The internal cross-section showing major structures including the renal cortex, medulla, renal pyramids, renal columns, papilla, minor and major calyces, and renal pelvis.

Organs of the Urinary System

Anatomical layout of the urinary system displaying the relative positions of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra, adrenal glands, and major abdominal vessels.