Urinary System Terminology and Key Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering the organs, functions, conditions, and procedures of the urinary system based on lecture notes.

Urinary system

Filters the blood to remove waste products, maintains fluid and electrolyte balance, and regulates blood pressure

Kidneys

Filters blood to produce urine

Nephron

The microscopic functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtration, reabsorption, and secretion

Renal cortex

Outer region of the kidney

Renal Medulla

Inner region of the kidney

Renal pelvis

Funnel shaped structure that collects urine from the nephrons and funnels it into the ureter

Hilum

Indentation on the medial side where blood vessels, nerves, and the ureter enter/exit

Ureters

2 muscular tubes that transports urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder (propel urine via peristalsis)

Urinary Bladder

Hollow, muscular organ that stores urine until it is eliminated from the body

Micturition

The act of emptying the bladder (urinating/voiding)

Urethra

Tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outer side of the body (also carries semen in males)

Glomerular Filtration

Blood is filtered in the glomerulus, producing filtrate

Tubular reabsorption

Useful substance are reabsorbed from the filtrate back into the blood

Tubular secretion

Waste products and excess ions are secreted from the blood into the filtrate to be eliminated

Anuria

Absence of urine production

Bacteriuria

Bacteria in the urine

Cystitis

Inflammation of the urinary bladder

Dysuria

Painful or difficult urination

Enuresis

Involuntary discharge of urine (bedwetting)

Glomerulonephritis

Inflammation of the glomeruli in the kidney

Hematuria

Blood in the urine

Hydronephrosis

Swelling of a kidney due to a backup of urine

Incontinence

Inability to control bladder and/or bowels

Nephritis

Inflammation of the kidney

Nephrolithiasis

Condition of kidney stones

Nocturia

Frequent urination at night

Oliguria

Scanty (decreased) urine production

Polyuria

Excessive urination

Proteinuria

Presence of protein in the urine

Pyuria

Pus in the urine

Renal failure

Kidneys lose their ability to remove waste and balance fluids

Acute kidney injury (AKI)

Sudden onset

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)/ End stage renal disease (ESRD)

Gradual, irreversible loss of function

Uremia

Accumulation of waste products in the blood due to kidney failure

Urethritis

Inflammation of the urethra

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Infection in any part of the urinary system

Catheterization

Insertion of a tube into the bladder to drain urine

Cystoscopy

Visual examination of the urinary bladder using a cystoscope

Dialysis

Artificial filtering of blood

Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)

X-ray of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder using contrast dye

Kidney transplant

Surgical replacement of diseased kidney

Lithotripsy

Procedure using shock waves to break up kidney stones

Nephrectomy

Surgical removal of a kidney

Urinalysis

Laboratory elimination of urine for physical, chemical, and microscopic properties