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.