Ch. 12 Urinary System Key Terms
bladder
A hollow, muscular sac located in the pelvic cavity that receives urine from the ureters and stores it until elimination.
Bowmans capsule
A C-shaped structure in the nephron that surrounds the glomerulus and picks up filtered materials from the blood to pass them into the convoluted tubule.
Cortex
The outer section of the kidney which contains most of the nephrons.
excretory system
Another name for the urinary system; it is responsible for removing wastes and excess water from the body and maintaining acid-base balance.
glomerulus
A cluster of capillaries in the nephron where water, mineral salts, glucose, and other substances are filtered out of the blood.
hilum
A notched or indented area on the kidney through which the ureter, nerves, blood vessels, and lymph vessels enter and leave.
homeostasis
A constant state of natural balance or equilibrium in the internal environment of the body.
kidneys
Two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the vertebral column that filter blood to produce urine.
medulla
The inner section of the kidney which contains most of the collecting tubules.
nephrons
The microscopic filtering units located within the kidneys.
renal pelvis
A funnel-shaped structure that serves as the first section of the ureter.
urethra
The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
urinary meatus
The external opening of the urethra.
urinary system
The body system responsible for removing wastes and excess water and maintaining the body's pH balance (also known as the excretory system).
urine
The concentrated liquid waste product that remains in the tubule after water and useful substances have been reabsorbed.
void
To urinate or micturate.