Urinary Vocab Flashcards
(31 cards)
arteriole
small artery
calyx or calix (calyces or calices)
cup-like collecting region of the renal pelvis
catheter
tube for injecting or removing fluids
cortex
outer region of an organ; the renal cortex is the outer region of the kidney
creatinine
nitrogenous waste excreted in urine. Creatinine clearance is a measure of the efficiency of the kidneys in removing creatinine from the blood
electrolyte
chemical element that carries an electrical charge when dissolved in water. Elecrolytes are necessary for functioning of muscles and nerves. The kidneys maintain the proper balance of electrolytes and water in the blood. Potassium and sodium are electrolytes
erythropoietin (EPO)
Hormone secreted by the kidney to stimulate the production of red blood cells by bone marrow. -poietin means a substance that forms.
filtration
process whereby some substances, but not all, pass through a filter. In the kidney, blood pressure forces materials through the filter (glomerulus). About 180 quarts of fluid are filtered from the blood daily, but the kidney returns 98% to 99% of the water and salts. Only about 1 1/2 quarts (1500 mL) of urine are excreted daily.
glomerular capsule
enclosing structure surrounding each glomerulus. The glomerular capsule is also known as Bowman capsule and it collects the material that is filtered from the blood through the walls of the glomerulus.
glomerulus
tiny ball of capillaries in the kidney
hilum
depression in an organ where blood vessels and nerves enter and leave.
kidney
one or two bean-shaped organs on either side of the backbone in the lumbar region; it filters nitrogenous wastes from the bloodstream to form urine.
meatus
opening or canal
medulla
inner region of an organ. The renal medulla is the inner region of the kidney.
nephron
combination of glomerulus and renal tubule where filtration, reabsorption, and secretion take place in the kidney. It is the functional unit of the kidney, each capable of forming urine by itself. There are about 1 million nephrons in a kidney.
nitrogenous waste
substance containing nitrogen and excreted in urine.
potassium (K+)
an 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.
reabsorption
process whereby renal tubules return materials necessary to the body back into the bloodstream.
renal artery
blood vessel that carries blood to the kidney
renal pelvis
central collecting region in the kidney
renal tubule
microscopic tubes in the kidney where urine is formed after filtration
renal vein
blood vessel that carries blood away from the kidney and toward the heart
renin
hormone secreted by the kidney; it raises blood pressure by influencing vasoconstriction.
sodium (Na+)
An electrolyte regulated in the blood and urine by the kidneys; needed for proper transmission of nerve impulses, heart activity, and other metabolic functions.
