Renal Disorders and Physiology Practice Flashcards

This flashcard set covers the vocabulary and foundational concepts of renal physiology, key renal hormones, and the pathology of renal stones (nephrolithiasis) based on the lecture transcript.

Ureters

Ducts or passageways that move urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Urethra

The structure through which urine is moved from the bladder and released to be expelled from the body.

Voiding

The process of expelling urine from the body.

Nephron

The smallest functional unit of the kidney; each kidney contains approximately $1$ million of these working structures.

Glomerulus

A network of capillaries within the Bowman's capsule that forms the interface between the blood and the renal system.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

The rate at which fluid enters the glomerulus, which is tightly regulated by hormones and changes in the blood vessels.

Renin

A hormone released by the juxtaglomerular apparatus in response to factors like low oxygen ($O_2$) or decreased blood flow into the kidneys.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

A powerful homeostatic control mechanism involving the kidneys, liver, and lungs that regulates blood volume and blood pressure.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that inserts aquaporins into the tubules to increase water reabsorption back into the blood.

Aquaporins

Water channels inserted into the lining of the tubules that allow more water to flow back into the blood vessels from the filtrate.

Flank Pain

Pain located in the lower back and sides of the body, just above the hips, where the kidneys are situated.

Dysuria

Painful, difficult, or burning sensation during urination.

Afebrile

A clinical state where the patient does not have a fever.

Micro-hematuria

The presence of blood in the urine, specifically measured in this case as $10-20$ red blood cells per high-power field, indicating blood is outside the vessels.

Nephrolithiasis

The medical term for renal stone disease or the formation of renal calculus.

Renal Colic

An acute, severe pain syndrome characterized as spasmodic and distressing, often caused by the distension of the renal pelvis or ureter due to stones.

Nidus

The beginning bit or 'nest' of a stone where minerals start to precipitate and crystallize.

Chelation Therapy

A treatment involving the administration of a substance like citrate that binds with calcium in solution to make it more soluble and prevent stone formation.

Hyperoxaluria

The presence of excess oxalate (oxalic acid) in the urine, which binds to calcium and increases the risk of kidney stones.

Co-morbidity

The presence of additional disorders or diseases occurring alongside a primary condition, such as diabetes mellitus or hypertension in a renal patient.