Urinalysis and Body Fluids Overview

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to renal anatomy, physiology, and function as discussed in the lecture notes.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney responsible for urine formation.

Glomerular filtration

The process where blood is filtered in the glomerulus, allowing small molecules to pass while retaining larger molecules.

Renal blood flow (RBF)

The volume of blood delivered to the kidneys per minute, averaging approximately 1200 mL/min.

Tubular reabsorption

The process of reclaiming water and solutes from the tubular fluid back into the blood.

Afferent arteriole

The blood vessel that supplies blood to the glomerulus.

Efferent arteriole

The blood vessel that carries blood away from the glomerulus after filtration.

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)

A hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

Oncotic pressure

The pressure exerted by proteins in the blood plasma that draws water into the circulatory system.

Maximal Reabsorptive Capacity (Tm)

The maximum rate at which a substance can be reabsorbed by the renal tubules.

Tubular secretion

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

Ammonia (NH3)

A waste product produced in the kidneys and secreted to help regulate pH balance.

Creatinine clearance

A measure of kidney function that assesses how well creatinine is filtered from the blood.

Efferent and afferent arterioles

Blood vessels regulating glomerular filtration pressure by adjusting their diameter.

Free water clearance

A measure of the kidney's ability to excrete water, indicating hydration status.

Bicarbonate (HCO3-)

A buffer in the blood that helps maintain pH balance through renal secretion.

Osmolarity

A measure of solute concentration in urine or plasma, often used to assess kidney function.