The Urinary System
Source: http://www.the-human-body.net/urinary-system.html
The Urinary System
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The Kidneys
The KIDNEY is one of two BEAN-SHAPED ORGANS behind the abdominal cavity
(retroperitoneal) on either side of the spine in the lumbar region. A cushion of adipose (fatty)
tissue and fibrous connective tissue surrounds each kidney for protection.
The kidneys consist of an outer CORTEX region and an inner MEDULLA region. The
HILUM is a depression on the medial border of the kidney. Blood vessels and nerves pass
through the hilum.
Combining Forms
Kindey
ren/o, nephr/o
Medical Terms
Paranephric
pt. to near the kidney
Nephropathy
disease of the kidney
Nephroptosis
downward displacement or drooping of a kidney
Nephrolithotomy
Incision into the kidney to remove a stone
Hydronephrosis
an abnormal condition of fluid (urine) in the kidney
Nephrostomy
surgical opening to outside of the body (from the renal pelvis)
Renal ischemia
blood held back from the kidney
Renal colic
pain resulting from calculi in the kidney or ureter
Source: http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/archive/2008/02/18/girl-asks-to-donate-extrakidneys.aspx
Inside the Kidneys
The Glomeruli
Each arteriole in the cortex of the kidney leads into a mass of tiny, coiled, and intertwined
smaller blood vessels called GLOMERULI (plural). Each glmerulus (singular) is a collection
of tiny capillaries formed in the shape of a small ball. There are about 1 million glomeruli in the
cortex region of each kidney.
The kidneys produce urine by FILTRATION. As bold passes through the many glomeruli, the
thin walls of each GLOMERULUS (the filter) permit water, salts, sugar, and urea (with other
nitrogenous wastes such as creatinine and uric acid) to leave the bloodstream.
These materials collect in a tiny, cup-like structure, a GLOMERULAR (BOWMAN)
CAPSULE, that surrounds each glomerulus.
Combining Forms
Glomerulus
glomerul/o
Medical Terms
Glomerular capsule capsule that surrounds the glomerulus
Source: http://science-naturalphenomena.blogspot.com/2009/11/glomerulus.html
The Urinary System
The Renal Tubule
Attached to each glomerular capsule is a long, twisted tube called a RENAL TUBULE.
The combination of a glomerulus and a renal tubule forms a unit called a NEPHRON. Each
kidney contains about 1 million nephrons.
As water, sugar, salts, urea, and other wastes pass through the RENAL TUBULE, most of the
water, all of the sugar, and some of salts return to the bloodstream. This process is called
TUBULAR REABSORPTION. TUBULAR REABSORPTION ensures that the body retains
essential substances such as sugar, water and salts.
The final process in the formation of urine is TUBULAR SECRETION. In secretion waste
products such as acids, potassium, and drugs leave the body in urine.
URINE is composed of 95% water, 5% wastes (urea, creatinine), salts, acids, and drugs.
All collecting tubules lead to the RENAL PELVIS, a basin-like area in the central part of the
kidney. Small, cup-like regions of the renal pelvis are called CALYCES or CALICES
(singular).
Combining Forms
Calyx
cali/o, calic/o
Renal pelvis
pyel/o
Medical Terms
Caliectasis
stretching of the calyx
Caliceal
pt. to the calyx
Pyelolithotomy
to cut into the renal pelvis. Usually this is to remove large calculus (stones)
The Urinary System
The Ureter, the Urinary Bladder, the Urethra
The renal pelvis narrows into the URETER, which carries urine to the URINARY BLADDER.
The bladder, a muscular sac, temporarily stores urine. Sphincter muscles control the exit area of
the bladder to the URETHRA. As the bladder fills and pressure increases at the base of the
bladder, an individual notices a need to urinate and voluntarily relaxes sphincter muscles.
Combining Forms
Ureter
ureter/o
Urinary bladder
cyst/o, vesic/o
Medical Terms
Ureteroplasty
surgical repair of the ureter
Ureteroileostomy
a pouch from a segment of the ileum, used in place of the bladder to carry
urine from the ureters to outside of the body
Cystitis
inflammation of the urinary bladder
Cystectomy
removal of the urinary bladder
Cystostomy
an opening made into the urinary bladder from the outside of the body. A
catheter is placed in the bladder for drainage.
Intravesical
within the urinary bladder
Vesicoureteral reflux urine is passed backwards from the bladder into the ureters
Source: http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/uterine-fibroids-and-hysterectomy-in-depth4.htm
The Urinary System