Chapter 07 Key Terms
Bladder
A muscular sac that stores urine until it is ready to be released from the body.
Bowman's Capsule
A cup-shaped structure in the kidney that surrounds the glomerulus and collects the filtered fluid (filtrate).
Cortex
The outer layer or region of an organ, such as the outer layer of the kidney.
Excretory System
The body system responsible for removing waste products (like urine) from the body; includes the kidneys, bladder, etc.
Glomerulus
A tiny ball of capillaries (blood vessels) inside the kidney's nephron where blood filtration begins.
Hilum
The indented area on the side of the kidney where the blood vessels, nerves, and ureter enter and exit.
Homeostasis
The body's ability to maintain a stable internal balance, such as keeping the right amounts of water and salts.
Kidneys
The two main organs of the urinary system that filter blood and produce urine.
Medulla
The inner part or region of an organ, such as the inner part of the kidney.
Nephrons
The millions of tiny, microscopic structures in the kidneys that actually filter the blood and form urine.
Renal Pelvis
The funnel-shaped area inside the kidney that collects the urine before it passes to the ureter.
Ureters
Two tubes that carry urine from the kidneys down to the bladder.
Urethra
The tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.
Urinary Meatus
The external opening at the end of the urethra where urine exits the body.
Urinary System
Another name for the Excretory System; includes the organs (kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra) that produce and remove urine.
Urine
The liquid waste product produced by the kidneys after filtering the blood.
Void
The action of emptying the bladder; also called urination.