Urinary, Endocrine, and Reproductive Systems Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of practice flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the Urinary, Endocrine, and Reproductive systems based on the provided lecture notes.

Proximal convoluted tubule

The structure where most reabsorption takes place, lined with microvilli to maximize surface area for nutrients to return to the blood.

Urethra (Female)

A shorter structure compared to males, which allows bacteria to reach the bladder more easily and contributes to more frequent urinary tract infections.

Ureter

The structure urine enters immediately after leaving the renal pelvis.

Podocytes

Specialized cells found within the glomerular capsule.

Vasa recta

The capillaries that surround the nephron loop.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) Hyposecretion

A condition resulting in increased urine volume and potentially leading to Diabetes Insipidus because the kidneys cannot reabsorb water.

Internal urethral sphincter

An involuntary muscle that is not under voluntary control, unlike the external sphincter.

Retroperitoneal

A term describing the location of the kidneys, meaning they are situated behind the peritoneum.

Sodium ($Na^+$)

The most abundant ion in the filtrate; its active pumping helps with the reabsorption of water and glucose.

Glomerulus

A structure where blood pressure is high due to the small diameter of the efferent arteriole.

Renal pelvis

The large collecting area where urine gathers before exiting the kidney.

Renal medulla

The inner portion of the kidney that contains the renal pyramids.

Normal pH Values

A normal pH for blood is approximately $7.4$, and a normal pH for urine is approximately $6$.

Prolactin

The hormone that allows a mother to produce milk.

Oxytocin

A hormone produced in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary that triggers milk secretion and uterine contractions.

Thyroid gland

A gland superior to the thymus that secretes hormones containing iodine.

Posterior lobe of the pituitary gland

A structure that produces $0$ hormones itself; it only stores and releases hormones made by the hypothalamus.

Infundibulum

The stalk-like structure that connects the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.

Diabetes Mellitus

A condition characterized by symptoms like frequent urination, excessive thirst, and the presence of glucose in the urine.

Islets of Langerhans

Clusters of cells in the pancreas that contain both alpha and beta cells.

Glucocorticoid

An example of a steroid hormone, which is lipid-soluble and does not require a second messenger.

Acromegaly

A condition resulting from the hypersecretion of growth hormone.

Glucagon

A hormone that raises blood sugar levels.

Insulin

A hormone that lowers blood sugar levels.

Tropic hormone

Hormones that direct other glands to release hormones, such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).

Mature (Graafian) follicle

The specific structure that releases an egg during ovulation.

Vasectomy

A surgical procedure after which a man still ejaculates seminal fluid, though it no longer contains sperm.

Epididymis

The site where sperm mature and are stored.

Endometrium (functional layer)

The specific layer of the uterus that sloughs off monthly during menstruation.

Seminal glands

The structures responsible for producing the majority of semen.

Fertilization

The biological process that typically occurs in the uterine tube.

LH Surge

An increased level of luteinizing hormone that acts as the hormonal trigger for ovulation.

Haploid Sperm Cell

A mature sperm cell containing $23$ total chromosomes, specifically $22$ autosomes and $1$ sex chromosome.

Corpus luteum

An active structure throughout pregnancy that produces progesterone to maintain the uterine lining until the placenta takes over.

PSA blood test

A diagnostic test used to help detect prostate cancer.

Juxtamedullary nephron

A type of nephron where the nephron loop is partially located in the renal medulla.

Collecting duct

A structure that receives drainage from multiple nephrons.

Graves' disease

A common clinical cause of hyperthyroidism.

Adrenal Cortex and Medulla

The outer layer and inner core of the adrenal glands, respectively.

Humoral control

Hormonal control based on the levels of specific substances (like ions or nutrients) in the body.

Aldosterone

A hormone that increases water reabsorption, similar to the effect of ADH.

Goiter

An enlargement of the thyroid gland often caused by a lack of iodine.

Cremaster muscle

Muscle involved in moving the testes relative to the body for temperature control.

Thymus

An endocrine gland that decreases in size after puberty.

GnRH

The hormone that serves as the initial stimulus for puberty.

Countercurrent mechanism

An interaction involving the nephron loop and the vasa recta.

Angiotensin

A substance that causes blood vessels to constrict, thereby raising blood pressure.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections at the open ovarian end of the uterine tubes designed to "catch" the egg.

Type I diabetes mellitus

An autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.