BSC2086L E.10 Urinalysis

Developed for the Broward College course BSC2086/L Anatomy and Physiology II.

urinalysis

An analysis of urine composition of a patient.

turbidity

• The clarity of a liquid.

• Normal urine is clear.

• Cloudy urine suggests presence of bacteria, mineral crystals, pus, or epithelial cells.

specific gravity

• The weight of a liquid compared to an equal volume of distilled water.

• Normal urine range is 1.001-1.035.

urine sediments

• Particles visible under the microscope in a urine specimen.

• Divided into cells, crystals, casts, or artifacts.

cells

• A classification of urine sediments.

• Includes epithelial cells from the urinary tract or blood cells.

• Presence of large number of cells indicate urinary system injury or infection.

crystals

• A classification of urine sediments.

• Masses of inorganic crystals.

• Very small crystals are normally present; larger crystals are kidney stones or renal calculi.

casts

• A classification of urine sediments.

• Chunks of hardened cell masses that have solidified in the urinary tract and sloughed off in the urine stream.

artifacts

• A classification of urine sediments.

• Substances entering the urine specimen by accident (such as clothing fabric).