Kidney Anatomy
This outermost region of the kidney contains most nephrons.
What is the renal cortex?
This first step of urine formation occurs in the renal corpuscle and produces filtrate.
What is filtration?
The act of urinating is also called this.
What is micturition (or voiding)?
This term refers to the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine.
What is urinalysis?
Inflammation of the bladder is known by this term.
What is cystitis?
These triangular structures make up the inner medulla of the kidney.
What are the renal pyramids?
Water is reabsorbed from this tubule segment via osmosis.
What is the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)?
This internal sphincter is involuntary and relaxes during the emptying reflex.
What is the internal urethral sphincter?
This hormone causes sodium and water retention and is activated by the RAAS.
What is aldosterone?
These mineralized formations in the kidney can cause renal colic.
What are renal calculi (kidney stones)?
This funnel-shaped structure collects urine and connects to the ureter.
What is the renal pelvis?
This hormone increases water reabsorption by the collecting ducts.
What is ADH?
A person who produces urine but cannot void it is experiencing this condition.
What is urinary retention?
This peptide hormone increases urine volume by promoting sodium loss.
This peptide hormone increases urine volume by promoting sodium loss.
This condition occurs when urine backs up into the kidney, enlarging the renal pelvis.
What is hydronephrosis?
This part of the nephron includes the Bowman capsule and glomerulus.
What is the renal corpuscle?
Glucose in the urine occurs when the blood level exceeds this value.
What is the renal threshold?
This type of incontinence is associated with weakened pelvic floor muscles.
What is stress incontinence?
This urine output level refers to unusually large volumes of urine.
What is polyuria?
This disorder is characterized by proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and edema.
What is nephrotic syndrome?
These nephrons, located near the medulla, help concentrate urine.
What are juxtamedullary nephrons?
This mechanism in the loop of Henle maintains a hypertonic medulla to allow water reabsorption.
What is the countercurrent mechanism?
This reflex is triggered by stretch receptors in the bladder wall.
What is the emptying reflex?
These small deposits found in urine sediment may indicate renal tubule damage.
What are casts?
This inherited disease causes numerous fluid‑filled cysts that destroy kidney tissue.
What is polycystic kidney disease (PKD)?