urinary system Flashcards
(38 cards)
afferent arteriole
place blood flows into the glomerulus from
arcuate arteries
located at the base of the pyramids and separate the medulla from the cortex.
blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
the concentration of urea nitrogen in blood and is the end produce of cellular metabolism. elevation of this means renal impairment and increased protein catabolism.
bowman’s capsule
structure that surrounds the glomerulus, part of filtration system and has water, salts, glucose, urea, and amino acids
calyx
part of the collecting system adjacent to the pyramid that collects urine and is connected to the major calyx.
columns of of bertin
bands of cortical tissue that separate the renal pyramids; a prominent column of Bertin may mimic a renal mass on sonography.
cortex
outer parenchyma of an organ, in the kidney they have the renal corpuscle and proximal and distal convoluted tubules of the nephron. The neonatal kidney is thin with echogenicity similar to or slightly greater than that of the normal liver parenchyma.
creatinine (Cr)
one of the laboratory tests used to measure the ability of the kidney to get rid of waste; waste products accumulates in the blood when the kidneys are malfunctioning.
dromedary hump
normal variant that occurs on the left kidney as a bulge on the lateral border.
ectopic kidney
located outside of the normal position, most often in the pelvic cavity.
efferent arteriole
blood from this structure supplies the peritubular capillaries, which also supply the convoluted tubules.
gerota’s fascia
another term for renal fascia; the kidney is covered by the renal capsule, perirenal fat, gerota fascia, and pararenal fat.
glomerulus
part of the filtration process in the kidney
hilus
area of kidney where vessels, ureter, and lymphatics enter and exit
homeostasis
maintenance of normal body physiology
horseshoe kidney
congenital malformation in which both kidneys are joined together by an isthmus, most commonly at the lower poles
hydronephrosis
dilation of the renal collecting system
loop of henle
portion of the renal tubule lying between the proximal and distal convoluted portions; reabsorption of fluid, sodium, and chloride occurs in the proximal convoluted tubule and the loop of henle.
major calyces/infundibulum
receives urine from the minor calyces to convey to the loop of henle
medulla
the inner portion of the renal parachyma that has the loop of henle
minor calyces
receives urine from renal pyramids and; forms the border of the renal sinus
Morrison’s pouch
right posterior subhepatic space located anterior to the kidney and inferior to the liver where fluid may accumulate.
nephron
functional unit of the kidney; includes a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule
renal agenesis
interruption in the normal development of the kidney resulting in the absence of the kidney; may be unilateral or bilateral