Medical Basics

Small artery

Cup-like collecting region of the pelvis.

Tube for injecting or removing fluids.

Outer region of an organ; the renal cortex is the outer region of the kidney ( cortical means pertaining to the cortex).

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

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 in the blood. Potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+) are electrolytes.

Hormone secreted by the kidney to stimulate the production of red blood cells by bone marrow. -protein means a substance that forms.

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 daily, but the kidney returns 98% of the water and salts. Only about 11/2 quarts (1500 mL) of urine are excreted daily.

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

Tiny ball of capillaries ( microscopic blood vessels in the kidney).

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

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.

Opening or Canal.

Inner region of an organ. The renal medulla is the inner region of the kidney (medullary means pertaining to the medulla).

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.

Substance containing nitrogen and excreted in urine.

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.

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

Blood vessel that carries blood to the kidney.

Central collecting region in the kidney.

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

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

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

An electrolyte regulated in the blood and urine by the kidneys; needed for proper transmission of nerve impulses, heart activity, and other metabolic functions.

Triangular area in the urinary bladder.

Major nitrogeous waste excreted in urine.

One of the two tubes leading from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

Tube leading from the urinary bladder to the outside of body.

Nitrogenous waste excreted in the urine.

Hollow; muscular sac that holds and stores urine.

Process of expelling urine, also called micturition.

calyx (calix)

urinary bladder

glomerulus

meatus

kidney

renal pelvis

kidney

trigone (region of the bladder)

ureter

urethra

albumin (a protein in the blood)

nitrogen

bacteria

thirst

potassium

ketone bodies (ketoacids and acetone)

stone

sodium

night

scanty

substance that forms

pus

crushing

urine

urine

urination; urine condition