Renal System Study Guide

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the renal system including anatomy, conditions, and pathophysiology.

Renal artery

Major vessel that brings blood into the kidney.

Glomerular capillaries

Site in the kidney where filtration occurs.

Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)

Part of the nephron where most reabsorption occurs.

Loop of Henle

Section of nephron responsible for water and sodium reabsorption.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)

Measurement of kidney function, indicating how much blood is filtered.

Cystitis

Bladder infection characterized by dysuria and urgency.

Pyelonephritis

Kidney infection that may cause flank pain and fever.

Nephrotic syndrome

Condition marked by increased glomerular permeability leading to protein loss.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Infection that can lead to the formation of kidney stones.

Ammonia

Substance produced by urease-producing bacteria that raises urine pH.

Uremia

Clinical syndrome associated with chronic renal failure affecting multiple systems.

Erythropoietin

Hormone that stimulates red blood cell production, decreased in chronic renal failure.

Dialysis

Procedure to remove waste products from the blood in patients with kidney failure.

Hemodialysis

Type of dialysis that requires vascular access to filter blood through a machine.

Anuria

Complete cessation of urine output.

Urinary retention

Inability to void urine despite production, often due to obstruction.