Human Anatomy and Physiology - The Urinary System

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the urinary system, focusing on anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the kidneys and their functions.

Kidneys

Major excretory organs that maintain the body's internal environment by regulating water volume, ion concentrations, acid-base balance, and excreting wastes.

Erythropoietin

Hormone produced by kidneys that regulates red blood cell production and blood pressure.

Renal ptosis

Condition where kidneys drop to a lower position due to loss of surrounding fatty tissue.

Hydronephrosis

Condition caused by backup of urine from obstruction, leading to potential kidney damage.

Renal corpuscle

The part of a nephron that includes the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule; responsible for filtration.

Glomerular filtration

The process of filtering blood plasma in the kidneys to form filtrate.

Juxtaglomerular complex (JGC)

A structure involving the distal ascending limb of the nephron loop and afferent arteriole; regulates filtrate formation and blood pressure.

Tubular reabsorption

The process that selectively returns 99% of substances from filtrate to blood.

Tubular secretion

The process that selectively moves substances from blood to filtrate.

Nephron

The structural and functional unit of the kidney, involved in urine formation.