Urinary System Notes

Unit 1: Anatomy and Physiology

Primary Structures of the Urinary System

• Also known as the Excretory System.
• Includes:
  • Adrenal gland
  • Renal cortex
  • Right kidney
  • Inferior vena cava
  • Ureteral orifices
  • Urethra
  • Renal medulla
  • Left renal artery
  • Renal pelvis
  • Left kidney
  • Abdominal aorta
  • Right and left ureters
  • Urinary bladder
  • Prostate gland (in males)
  • Urethral meatus

Primary Functions of the Kidneys

• Filter the blood to remove waste products.
• Maintain electrolyte concentrations.
• Related Combining Forms:
  • nephr/o
  • ren/o

Parts of the Kidney

• Renal cortex:
  • Filtration
  • Reabsorption
  • Secretion (aka voiding/micturition)
• Renal medulla
• Renal pelvis

Nephron Anatomy

• Nephron: functional unit of the kidney
• Components:
  • Glomerulus
  • Bowman's Capsule
  • Loop of Henle
  • Collecting Duct

Ureters

• Primary Function: Transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
• Related Combining Form: ureter/o

Urinary Bladder

• Primary Function: Stores urine until it is excreted.
• Related Combining Form: cyst/o

Urethra

• Primary Function: Transports urine from the bladder where it is excreted from the body.
• Related Combining Form: urethr/o

Urine

• Primary Function: Liquid waste product produced by the kidney.
• Related Combining Forms: ur/o, urin/o, -uria

Unit 2: Urinary Symptoms

Urination Symptoms

• Diuresis: Abnormal increase in production of urine
• Enuresis: Involuntary discharge of urine
• Oliguria: Condition where very small amount of urine is produced
• Polyuria: Condition of excessive urine production
• Hematuria: Condition where blood or blood cells are excreted in the urine
• Urinary Urgency: Sudden, compelling urge to urinate. May be associated with many disorders and also tends to increase with age.
• Nocturia: Involuntary discharge of urine during sleep
• Urinary Retention: Inability to completely empty the bladder
• Incontinence: Loss of voluntary control over discharge of urine
  • Stress incontinence
  • Urge incontinence

Unit 3: Urinary Diseases and Conditions

Urinary Diseases and Conditions

• Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones)
  • Causes: More crystal-forming substances such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid than the body can dilute.
  • Risk Factors: Family Hx, Dehydration, Certain diets, High Sodium intake, Cola Drinks, Sports Drinks
  • Treatments:
    • Lithotomy
    • Lithotripsy: high energy shock waves break up kidney stones
    • Nephrectomy
• Polycystic Kidneys
  • Inherited disorder that causes clusters of cysts to develop primarily within the kidneys.
  • Kidneys enlarge and lose function over time.
  • Cysts are non-cancerous fluid-filled sacs.
  • Many people with this condition have kidney failure by age 60.
• Wilms Tumor (Nephroblastoma)
  • Highly treatable.
  • Most kids with Wilms tumor survive and live normal, healthy lives.
  • Usually develops in just one kidney.
  • Doctors believe that the tumor begins to grow as a fetus develops in the womb, with some cells that should form into the kidneys instead forming a tumor.
• Renal Cell Carcinoma
  • Kidney cancer occurring primarily in adults.
• Pyelonephritis
  • Acute pyelonephritis is a sudden and severe kidney infection that causes the kidneys to swell.
  • May leave permanent damage and may be life-threatening.
  • Persistent attacks are called chronic pyelonephritis.
  • Suppuration: pus formation

Unit 4: Diagnostic Procedures

Diagnostic Procedures

• KUB: X-ray of abdominopelvic cavities to include the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.
• Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP): Contrast medium injected into the veins, and a series of x-rays are taken to view the urinary organs.
• BUN/Creatinine Ratio: Measures blood levels of urea and creatinine.
• Urinalysis: Examination of urine for the presence of abnormal elements that may indicate pathology
  • Color, pH, Protein, Glucose, Ketones, Occult Hematuria, Leukocytes, Nitrites, Bilirubin

Unit 5: Treatment Procedures

Treatment Procedures

• Transplant: Remove and replace the kidneys from a donor.
• Lithotripsy: Destruction of the kidney stone through the use of ultrasonic waves.
• Nephrolithotomy: Surgical removal of kidney stones through a surgical incision.
• Dialysis: Artificial method by which waste materials are removed from the blood after kidney failure.
  • Hemodialysis: 3-5 times a week; washes the blood through your arm.
  • Peritoneal Dialysis: Daily; washes blood through the abdomen.
• Urinary Catheterization: Insertion of a flexible, hollow tube through the urethra into the bladder to drain urine.

Medications

• Antibiotic: Drug that fights or prevents bacterial infections.
• Diuretic: Drug that increases urine output.

Unit 6: Careers

Careers

• Dialysis Technician (Also known as Hemodialysis Technician, Renal Dialysis Technician, or Nephrology Technician)
  • Operates machines that remove metabolic waste products and excess fluids from the blood of patients with kidney malfunction.
  • Works in hospitals or clinics under a nurse of physician.
  • Need to complete a technical diploma program, an associate’s degree program at a community college, or dialysis technician training at a hospital. They must also complete and pass a board exam.
• Urologist
  • Physician who specializes in diseases of the urinary system and the male’s reproductive tract.
  • Must complete a 4-year undergraduate degree, 4 years of medical school, and an internship and residency training in urology. They must pass a national board exam.
  • They work in medical offices and hospitals.
• Case Management Nurse
  • A registered nurse who works in many settings coordinating patient care with physicians.
  • They are usually assigned to patients with chronic conditions and have worked in specialized medicine before.
  • Some states require extra schooling to be a case management nurse and have the option of being certified by the Case Management Association of America and by the American Case Management Association.