Medical Terminology for Health Professions
Ann Ehrlich/Carol L.Schroeder
7th Edition
The Urinary System
Chapter 9
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Overview of Structures, Combining Forms,
and Functions of the Urinary Systems
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Primary Structures of the Urinary System
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Kidneys
• Primary Functions
– Filter the blood to remove waste products
– Maintain electrolyte concentrations
– Remove excess water to maintain the fluid volume
within the body
(continues)
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Kidneys
(continues)
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Kidneys
• Related Word Parts (Combining Forms)
– nephr/o
– ren/o
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Renal Pelvis
• Primary Function
– Collects urine produced by the kidney
• Related Word Parts (Combining Forms)
– pyel/o
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Urine
• Primary Function
– Liquid waste product produced by the kidney
that is to be excreted
• Related Word Parts (Combining Forms)
– ur/o, urin/o
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Ureters
• Primary Function
– Transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder
• Related Word Parts (Combining Forms)
– ureter/o
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Urinary Bladder
• Primary Function
– Stores urine until it is excreted
• Related Word Parts (Combining Forms)
– cyst/o
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Urinary Bladder
(continues)
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Urethra
• Primary Function
– Transports urine from the bladder through the
urethral meatus, where it is excreted from the body
• Related Word Parts (Combining Forms)
– urethr/o
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Prostate
• Primary Function
– A gland of the male prostate system that surrounds
the male urethra
– Disorders of this gland can disrupt the flow of urine
• Related Word Parts (Combining Forms)
– prostat/o
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Key Word Parts and Definitions
• -cele
– hernia, tumor, swelling
• cyst/o
– urinary bladder, cyst, sac of fluid
• dia– through, between, apart, complete
• -ectasis
– stretching, dilation, enlargement
(continues)
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Key Word Parts and Definitions
• glomerul/o
– glomerulus
• lith/o
– stone, calculus
• -lysis
– breakdown, separation, setting free, destruction,
loosening
• nephr/o
– kidney
(continues)
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Key Word Parts and Definitions
• -pexy
– surgical fixation
• pyel/o
– renal pelvis, bowl of kidney
• -tripsy
– to crush
• ur/o
– urine, urinary tract
(continues)
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Key Word Parts and Definitions
• ureter/o
– ureter
• urethr/o
– urethra
• -uria
– urination, urine
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Questions
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Question
The medulla is the inner region of the kidney.
It is also the name of a section of what other
body part?
a. intestines
b. brainstem
c. heart
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Answer
b. brainstem
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Question
The tube extending from the bladder to the
outside of the body is the:
a. ureter
b. urethra
c. ureta
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Answer
b. urethra (Think of it as being further from the
kidneys than the ureter.)
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Question
Nocturnal enuresis is also known as bedwetting.
True or False?
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Answer
True
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Question
Hemodialysis is the process by which cancer
cells are filtered directly from the patient’s blood.
True or False?
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved
Answer
False: Hemodialysis is the process by which
waste products are filtered from the patient’s
blood.
© 2013 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved