Urinalysis Terms

 1. Bowman’s Capsule- The portion of the nephron that receives the glomerular filtrate.  2. Cortex- The outer layer or portion of an organ.  3. Distal Convoluted Tubule- The portion of a renal tubule that empties into the collecting tubule.  4. Diuresis- Output of an abnormally large urine volume.  5. Glomerular Filtrate- The fluid that passes from the blood into the nephron and from which urine is formed.  6. Glomerulus - A small bundle of capillaries that is the filtering portion of the nephron.  7. Loop of Henle- The U-shaped portion of the renal tubule between its proximal and distal portions.  8. Medulla- The inner or central portion of an organ.  9. Nephron- The structural and functional unit of the kidney.

  1. Proximal Convoluted Tubule- The portion of a renal tubule that collects the filtrate from Bowman’s capsule.
  2. Pyelitis- Inflammation of the renal pelvis.
  3. Pyelonephritis- Inflammation of the kidney and renal pelvis.
  4. Renal Pelvis- The cavity in the kidney that receives urine from the renal tubules and the site where the ureter enters the kidney.
  5. Renal Threshold- The blood concentration above which a substance not normally excreted by the kidneys appears in urine.
  6. Tubular Necrosis- Death of the tissue comprising the renal tubules.
  7. Anuria- Complete failure of kidney function and suppression of urine production; absence of urine production.
  8. Clean-Catch Urine- A midstream urine sample collected after the urethral opening and surrounding tissues have been cleansed.
  9. Midstream Urine- A urine sample collected in the middle of voiding.
  10. Nocturia- Excessive urination at night.
  11. Oliguria- Decreased production of urine. Urinalysis Terms
  12. Random Urine Specimen- A urine specimen collected at any time, without regard to diet or time of day.
  13. Ketones- A group of chemical substance produced during increased fat metabolism; ketone bodies.
  14. Melanin- A dark pigment of skin, hair, and certain tumors.
  15. Myoglobin- A pigmented protein found in muscle tissue.
  16. Opalescent- Having a milky iridescence.
  17. Porphyrins- A group of pigments that are required for the synthesis of hemoglobin.
  18. Refractometer- An instrument for measuring refraction.
  19. Specific Gravity- The ratio of the weight of a solution to the weight of an equal volume of distilled water; a measurement of density.
  20. Turbid- Having a cloudy appearance.
  21. Urinometer- A float with a calibrated stem used for measuring specific gravity.
  22. Urochrome- The yellow pigment the gives urine its color.
  23. Bilirubin- A product formed in the liver from the breakdown of hemoglobin.
  24. Urobilinogen- Breakdown product of bilirubin formed by the action of intestinal bacteria.
  25. Cast- In urinalysis, a protein matrix formed in the kidney tubules and washed out into the urine.
  26. Hyaline- Transparent, pale.
  27. Sediment- Solids that settle to the bottom of a liquid.
  28. hCG – human chorionic gondotropin, a hormone present in pregnancy.
  29. Glycosuria- Glucose in the urine; glucosuria.
  30. Ketonuria- Ketones in the urine.
  31. Proteinuria- Protein in the urine, usually albumin.

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