Urinary System Flashcards
Focuses on kidney and urinary tract anatomy, common conditions like UTIs and kidney stones, and procedures such as dialysis and urinalysis. (114 cards)
Define:
Kidney
A pair of bean-shaped organs that filter blood to produce urine, regulate electrolyte balance, and maintain fluid homeostasis.
The doctor explained that the kidney functions to remove waste products from the blood.
Define:
Nephron
The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming urine, consisting of a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule.
Each nephron plays a crucial role in maintaining the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance.
Define:
Glomerulus
A network of capillaries located within the Bowman’s capsule of the nephron, where blood filtration begins.
The blood enters the glomerulus, where waste products are filtered into the nephron.
Define:
Bowman’s capsule
The double-walled structure surrounding the glomerulus in the nephron, which collects the filtrate from the blood.
Filtrate flows from the Bowman’s capsule into the renal tubule for further processing.
Define:
Renal cortex
The outer region of the kidney that contains the renal corpuscles and proximal and distal convoluted tubules of nephrons.
The renal cortex is where the filtration of blood begins in the kidneys.
Define:
Renal medulla
The inner region of the kidney that contains the renal pyramids and collecting ducts, involved in urine concentration.
The renal medulla is critical for the concentration of urine before it is excreted.
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Renal pelvis
The funnel-shaped structure in the kidney that collects urine from the collecting ducts and channels it into the ureter.
Urine drains into the renal pelvis before moving to the bladder.
Define:
Renal artery
The blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the kidneys for filtration.
The renal artery supplies the kidneys with the blood needed for filtration.
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Renal vein
The blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood away from the kidneys back to the heart after filtration.
After filtration, blood exits the kidney through the renal vein.
Define:
Ureter
A muscular tube that transports urine from the renal pelvis of the kidney to the urinary bladder.
The ureter plays a vital role in directing urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
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Urinary bladder
A hollow muscular organ that stores urine until it is excreted from the body.
The patient felt the urge to urinate as the urinary bladder filled with urine.
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Urethra
The tube that carries urine from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body during urination.
The urethra is the final pathway for urine to exit the body.
Define:
Calyx (major and minor)
Cup-shaped structures in the kidney that collect urine from the renal pyramids and channel it to the renal pelvis; major calyces are formed from minor calyces.
Urine flows from the renal pyramids into the calyx before entering the renal pelvis.
Define:
Collecting duct
The segment of the nephron that collects urine from multiple nephrons and transports it to the renal pelvis, playing a key role in water reabsorption.
The collecting duct is essential for concentrating urine based on the body’s hydration levels.
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Loop of Henle
A U-shaped portion of the nephron that extends into the renal medulla, crucial for the concentration of urine and reabsorption of water and salts.
The Loop of Henle enables the kidneys to produce concentrated urine.
Define:
Proximal convoluted tubule
The first segment of the renal tubule, where most of the reabsorption of water, ions, and nutrients occurs.
In the proximal convoluted tubule, the majority of filtered glucose is reabsorbed back into the blood.
Define:
Distal convoluted tubule
The segment of the renal tubule following the loop of Henle, involved in the selective reabsorption of ions and water, and the secretion of waste products.
The distal convoluted tubule adjusts the composition of urine based on the body’s needs.
Define:
Juxtaglomerular apparatus
A specialized structure located at the junction of the afferent arterioles and the distal convoluted tubule, involved in regulating blood pressure and filtration rate.
The juxtaglomerular apparatus releases renin in response to low blood pressure.
Define:
Macula densa
A group of specialized cells in the distal convoluted tubule that sense sodium concentration and help regulate glomerular filtration rate.
The macula densa plays a key role in detecting changes in sodium levels in the filtrate.
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Podocyte
A specialized cell type in the glomerulus that forms part of the filtration barrier, allowing selective filtration of blood.
Podocytes have foot-like processes that create filtration slits in the glomerular membrane.
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Filtration
The process where blood is filtered in the kidneys to remove waste products and excess substances, forming urine.
The kidneys perform filtration to eliminate toxins from the bloodstream.
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Reabsorption
The process by which the kidneys reclaim water and essential solutes from the filtrate back into the bloodstream.
During reabsorption, glucose and amino acids are returned to the blood after filtration.
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Secretion
The process of transporting substances from the blood into the renal tubules, contributing to urine formation.
Secretion of potassium and hydrogen ions helps regulate blood pH.
Define:
Excretion
The elimination of waste products from the body through urine.
The body relies on excretion to remove excess salts and toxins.