Urinary System and Kidney Physiology

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the urinary system and kidney physiology.

Kidney Functions

Include regulating water volume, ion concentrations, acid-base balance, and removal of wastes.

Endocrine Functions of Kidneys

Include production of renin (regulates blood pressure) and erythropoietin (regulates RBC production).

Nephron

The structural and functional unit of the kidney that forms urine; consists of renal corpuscle and renal tubule.

Glomerulus

A network of capillaries in the nephron where filtration occurs.

Juxtamedullary Nephrons

Nephrons with long loops that extend deep into the medulla, crucial for concentrating urine.

Tubular Reabsorption

Process by which substances are selectively returned from the filtrate to the blood.

Tubular Secretion

Process of moving substances from the blood into the renal tubules.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

The volume of filtrate formed by the kidneys per minute, indicative of kidney function.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone Mechanism

Hormonal pathway that increases blood pressure in response to low blood pressure.

Macula Densa

Cells in the nephron that detect sodium chloride concentration and help regulate filtration rate.

Peritubular Capillaries

Low-pressure capillaries surrounding renal tubules, involved in reabsorption and secretion.

Vasa Recta

Capillaries in juxtamedullary nephrons that play a role in the concentration of urine.

Renal Pelvis

Funnel-shaped structure that collects urine from the major calyces and leads to the ureter.

Secretion

The process of moving a product out of a cell or gland into fluid or space.

Absorption

The process of moving a product into the cell or system.

Reabsorption

The process of moving a product back into the bloodstream after it has been filtered.

Collecting Ducts

Ducts that receive filtrate from multiple nephrons and play a role in urine concentration.

Pyelonephritis

Infection or inflammation of the entire kidney.

Ureters

Tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

Urethra

A tube that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.