Introduction to Medical Terminology in the Urinary System

Medical Terms and the Urinary System

• The urinary system consists of various components that have specific medical terminology related to their anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Combining Forms

• albumin/o: albumin

• bacteri/o: bacteria

• calcul/o: stone

• lit/lith/o: stone; calculus

• nephr/o: kidney

• pyel/o: renal pelvis

• trigon/o: trigone

• ur/o: urine; urinary tract

• vesic/o: urinary bladder

Prefixes

• a-, an-: not; without

• dia-: complete; through

• dys-: painful; difficult

• hyper-: above; above normal; excessive

• inter-: between

Suffixes

• -gram: record; image

• -lysis: breakdown; separation; loosening

• -pexy: surgical fixation

• -poietin: substance that forms

• -stitial: pertaining to standing or positioned

• -uria: urination; condition of urine

Key Functions of the Urinary System

• Filtration: Removal of waste products from the bloodstream.

• Waste storage and excretion: Urine storage and eventual expulsion.

• Hormone production: Regulation of blood pressure and erythropoiesis.

• Homeostasis maintenance: Regulation of fluid balance, electrolytes, and acid-base balance.

Structures of the Urinary System

• Kidneys:

  • Renal cortex: Area where filtration and reabsorption occur.

  • Renal medulla: Contains the renal pyramids and nephron loops.

  • Renal pelvis: Collects urine before it flows into the ureters.

• Ureters: Tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

• Urinary bladder: Organ that stores urine before excretion.

• Urethra: Duct through which urine is expelled from the body.

Medical Terms and Conditions

• Anuria: Failure of the kidney to produce urine.

• Glycosuria: Presence of sugar in urine.

• Urinary incontinence: Loss of bladder control.

• Urinary retention: Inability to completely empty the bladder.

• Cystitis: Inflammation of the bladder.

• Glomerulonephritis: Inflammation of the glomerulus affecting kidney function.

• Interstitial cystitis: Chronic pain condition affecting the bladder.

• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): Genetic disorder characterized by cyst formation in kidneys.

Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

• Biopsy: Tissue sampling to diagnose disease. Types: excisional, incisional, needle.

• Cystoscopy: Direct examination of the bladder and urethra.

• Sonography: Imaging method using ultrasound.

• Renal angiogram: Imaging of the blood vessels in the kidneys.

Surgical Procedures and Therapeutics

• Hemodialysis: Procedure to remove waste products from the blood.

• Peritoneal dialysis: Dialysis method using the abdominal lining to filter waste.

• Lithotripsy: Procedure to break up urinary stones.

• Nephrectomy: Surgical removal of a kidney.

• Lithotomy: Surgical method for removing urinary stones.

Common Medical Abbreviations

• CAT: computerized axial tomography

• CYSTO: cystoscopy; cystoscopic examination

• PKD: polycystic kidney disease

• UA: urinalysis

• KUB: kidneys, ureters, bladder

• pH: degree of acidity or alkalinity

• sp gr: specific gravity

• VCUG: voiding cystourethrogram

This detailed overview covers key components of the urinary system's terminology, structures, functions, conditions, and procedures.