Urinary System

Chapter 10: Urinary System

Learning Objectives

  • Recognize or write the functions of the urinary system.

  • Recognize or write the meanings of Chapter 10 word parts and use them to build and analyze terms.

  • Write terms for selected structures of the urinary system, or match them with their descriptions.

  • Write the names of the diagnostic terms and pathologies related to the urinary system when given their descriptions, or match terms with their meanings.

  • Match surgical and therapeutic interventions for the urinary system, or write the names of the interventions when given their descriptions.

  • Spell terms for the urinary system correctly.

Functions of the Kidneys

  • Maintenance of Blood Volume: Regulates the total amount of fluid in the body.

  • pH Maintenance: Helps maintain the acid-base balance in the bloodstream.

  • Chemical Composition of the Blood: Ensures the correct concentrations of electrolytes and metabolites.

  • Excretion of Waste Products: Eliminates waste products resulting from protein metabolism.

  • Regulation of Blood Pressure: Plays a role in controlling systemic blood pressure through various mechanisms.

  • Stimulation of Erythrocyte Production: Produces erythropoietin, which stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow.

Fluid Intake and Output

  • Water Gained:

    • In beverages: 1,600 mL

    • In moist food: 700 mL

    • From metabolism: 200 mL

  • Water Lost:

    • In urine: 1,500 mL

    • In feces: 150 mL

    • Through skin: 550 mL

    • Through lungs: 300 mL

Word Parts: Urinary System

  • ur/o: urine or urinary tract

  • urin/o: urine

  • -uria: urine or urination

  • -ation: process

Additional Word Parts

  • albumin/o: albumin

  • -esis: action, process, or result of

  • glycos/o: sugar

  • olig/o: few, scanty

  • nephr/o, ren/o: kidney

  • ureter/o: ureter

  • cyst/o: bladder (sometimes cyst or sac)

  • urethr/o: urethra

  • pyel/o: renal pelvis

  • glomerul/o: glomerulus

Organs of the Urinary System

  • Adrenal gland

  • Renal artery

  • Renal vein

  • Abdominal aorta

  • Other structures include the sigmoid colon, uterus, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

Cross Section of Kidney

  • Detailed diagram showing the internal structures including:

    • Nephron: Functional unit of the kidney.

    • Capillary Loops: Important for filtration.

Nephron and Surrounding Capillaries

  • Afferent Arteriole: Supplies blood to the glomerulus.

  • Glomerulus: Network of capillaries where filtration occurs.

  • Bowman's Capsule: Encloses the glomerulus and collects filtered fluid.

  • Tubular Reabsorption: Reabsorbs water, sugar, and some salts back into the bloodstream.

  • Tubular Secretion: Additional substances such as hydrogen ions, potassium, and certain drugs are secreted into the tubular fluid.

Formation of Urine

  1. Filtration: Occurs in the glomerulus where blood components (water, sugar, salts, wastes) are filtered.

  2. Reabsorption: Water and essential nutrients are reabsorbed back into the bloodstream.

  3. Excretion: Urine is collected in the renal pelvis and transported to the bladder via ureters, where it is stored before expulsion through the urethra.

Diagnostic Terms

  • Urinalysis (U/A): Comprehensive examination of urine.

  • Urine Culture: Test to detect bacteria in the urine.

  • Antibiotic Sensitivity Test: Determines the effectiveness of antibiotics against pathogens.

  • Glycosuria: Presence of glucose in urine.

  • Hematuria: Presence of blood in urine.

  • Albuminuria: Presence of albumin in urine.

  • Proteinuria: Presence of proteins in urine.

  • Pyuria: Presence of pus in urine.

  • Ketonuria: Presence of ketones in urine.

  • Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): Measures the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from the waste product urea.

Simple Urine Tests

  • Microscopic examination for cellular components.

  • Biochemical tests for protein, glucose, and electrolytes.

Diseases and Disorders of the Urinary System

  • Nephromalacia: Softening of the kidney.

  • Nephrolithiasis: Formation of kidney stones.

  • Nephritis: Inflammation of the kidneys.

  • Glomerulonephritis: Inflammation of the glomeruli.

  • Dysuria: Painful urination.

  • Polyuria: Excessive urination.

  • Anuria: Absence of urination.

  • Oliguria: Diminished output of urine.

  • Uremia: Presence of waste products in the blood due to renal failure.

  • Renal Failure: Acute renal failure (ARF) or chronic renal failure (CRF).

  • Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Infection in any part of the urinary system.

Surgical and Therapeutic Interventions

  • Nephrostomy: Creation of an opening in the kidney.

  • Nephrectomy: Surgical removal of a kidney.

  • Nephropexy: Suspension of a prolapsed kidney.

  • Cystectomy: Surgical removal of the bladder.

  • Dialysis: Treatment for kidney failure; includes hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

  • Renal transplant: Surgical replacement of a failing kidney with a donor kidney.

  • Lithotripsy: Procedure to break up kidney stones using shock waves.

Acronyms and Abbreviations

  • ADH: Antidiuretic hormone

  • ARF: Acute renal failure

  • BUN: Blood urea nitrogen

  • ESWL: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

  • IVP: Intravenous pyelogram

  • pH: Potential of hydrogen

  • TUR: Transurethral resection

  • TURP: Transurethral resection of the prostate

  • U/A: Urinalysis

  • UTI: Urinary tract infection

Quick Quiz

  • The term for the presence of blood in the urine is: hematuria.