Untitled Quiz

Medical Terminology: Urinary System

• Ren-: Prefix related to kidneys; used in terms like "renal disease."
• Nephro-: Prefix for kidney; found in "nephrology," the kidney's medical specialty.
• -statis: Suffix indicating a stable state.
• Electro-: Prefix denoting electric or electricity-related concepts.
• Angio-: Prefix meaning blood vessel; for example, "angiotensin."

Urinary System Overview

• Urinary System: Organs filtering blood and removing waste.
• Urine: Liquid from kidneys made of water and dissolved waste.
• Kidneys: Two bean-shaped organs essential for blood filtering.
• Ureters: Slender tubes transporting urine from kidneys to the bladder.
• Bladder: Muscle sac that stores urine until disposal.
• Urethra: Tube linking bladder to the outside of the body.
• Sphincter: Muscle controlling urine exit from the bladder.

Kidney Structure and Function

• Renal: Pertains to kidney-related functions or structures.
• Renal Capsule: Tough connective tissue covering the kidneys.
• Renal Cortex: Outer kidney layer where blood filtration occurs and erythropoietin is produced.
• Renal Medulla: Innermost kidney layer maintaining salt and water balance.
• Nephron: Basic kidney unit; approximately 1 million per kidney responsible for filtration.
• Glomerulus: Capillary collection in a nephron initiating blood filtration.

Blood Supply and Nerve Control

• Renal Arteries: Arteries supplying blood to the kidneys from the abdominal aorta.
• Renal Veins: Veins returning filtered blood to the circulatory system via the vena cava.
• Renal Plexus: Nerve collection controlling kidney functions.

Key Processes in Kidney Function

• Filtration: Separation of solids from liquids via a semipermeable membrane.
• Reabsorption: Retrieval of valuable substances like glucose from urine before leaving the kidney.

Important Biochemical Components

• Amino Acids: Nitrogen-containing compounds that are protein building blocks.
• Acid-Base Balance: Equilibrium between acidic and basic molecules in a solution.
• pH: Measure defining a solution’s acidity; neutral at 7, acidic below 7, basic above 7.
• Electrolytes: Charged atoms/molecules in solution affecting various body functions.
• Bicarbonate: Key electrolyte for maintaining pH balance in the body.
• Ammonium: Waste converted to urea in the body.
• Urea: Main nitrogen-containing metabolite in urine.
• Nitrogen: Essential chemical element for producing proteins and amino acids.

Hormonal Regulation in the Body

• Adrenal Glands: Hormone-producing glands on top of each kidney, produce epinephrine and cortisol.
• Fight-or-Flight Reflex: Stress response activating hormone release for immediate action.
• Homeostasis: Process of maintaining body equilibrium and normal functioning.
• Osmolarity: Solid concentration measure in a solution.
• Epinephrine: Adrenaline hormone activating stress responses.
• Cortisol: Hormone released during stress by adrenal glands.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

• Renin: Enzyme produced by kidneys that activates angiotensin.
• Angiotensin: Plasma protein increasing blood pressure and stimulating aldosterone release.
• Aldosterone: Hormone directing nephrons to reabsorb salt and water, enhancing blood pressure.

Fluid Regulation

• Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH): Hormone that decreases urine production, promoting fluid balance.
• Erythropoietin (EPO): Kidney hormone increasing red blood cell production in response to low blood oxygen.
• Calcitriol: Active vitamin D form produced in the kidney, crucial for calcium balance and bone health.