Terms

Question 1

Calciferol

Answer 1

Active form of Vitamin D

Question 2

Calyx

Answer 2

Cup-like collecting region of the renal pelvis.

Question 3

Catheter

Answer 3

Tube for injecting or removing fluids.

Question 4

Cortex

Answer 4

Outer region of an organ; the renal cortex is the outer region of the kidney

Question 5

Creatinine

Answer 5

Nitrogenous waste excreted in urine. Creatinine clearance is a measure of the efficiency of the kidneys in removing (clearing) creatinine from the blood.

Question 6

Electrolyte

Answer 6

Chemical element that carries an electrical charge when dissolved in water. Electrolytes are necessary for functioning of muscles and nerves. The kidneys maintain the proper balance of electrolytes and water in the blood. Potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+) are electrolytes.

Question 7

Erythropoietin (EPO)

Answer 7

Hormone secreted by the kidney to stimulate the production of red blood cells by bone marrow.

-poietin means a substance that forms.

Question 8

Filtration

Answer 8

Process whereby some substances, but not all, pass through a filter.

Question 9

Glomerular capsule

Answer 9

Enclosing structure surrounding each glomerulus. The glomerular capsule is also known as Bowman’s capsule and it collects the material that is filtered from the blood through the walls of the glomerulus.

Question 10

Glomerulus

Answer 10

Tiny ball of capillaries in the kidney.

Question 11

Hilum

Answer 11

Depression in an organ where blood vessels and nerves enter and leave.

Question 12

Kidney

Answer 12

One of two bean-shaped organs on either side of the backbone in the lumbar region. It filters nitrogenous wastes from the bloodstream to form urine.

Question 13

Meatus

Answer 13

Opening or canal

Question 14

Medulla

Answer 14

Inner region of an organ. The renal medulla is the inner region of the kidney. The medullary cavity in long bones is the innermost part containing red and yellow marrow.

Question 15

Nephron

Answer 15

Combination of glomerulus and renal tubule where filtration, reabsorption, and secretion take place in the kidney, each capable of forming urine by itself. There are about 1 million nephrons in a kidney.

Question 16

Nitrogenous waste

Answer 16

Substance containing nitrogen and excreted in urine. Examples are urea, uric acid, and creatinine.

Question 17

Potassium (K+)

Answer 17

Electrolyte regulated by the kidney so that a proper concentration is maintained within the blood. Potassium is essential for allowing muscle contraction and conduction of nervous impulses.

Question 18

Reabsorption

Answer 18

Process whereby renal tubules return materials necessary to the body back into the bloodstream.

Question 19

Renal artery

Answer 19

Blood vessel that carries blood to the kidney.

Question 20

Renal pelvis

Answer 20

Central collecting region in the kidney.

Question 21

Renal tubule

Answer 21

Microscopic tube in the kidney where urine is formed after filtration.

Question 22

Renal vein

Answer 22

Blood vessel that carries blood away from the kidney and toward the heart.

Question 23

Renin

Answer 23

Hormone secreted by the kidney; it raises blood pressure by influencing vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels).

Question 24

Sodium (Na+)

Answer 24

Electrolyte regulated in the blood and urine by the kidneys. Needed for proper transmission of nerve impulses, heart activity, and other metabolic functions. A common form of sodium is sodium chloride (table salt).

Question 25

Trigone

Answer 25

Triangular area in the urinary bladder.

Question 26

Urea

Answer 26

Major nitrogenous waste excreted in urine.

Question 27

Uric acid

Answer 27

Nitrogenous waste excreted in the urine.

Question 28

Arteriole

Answer 28

Small artery