Ch. 12 Urinary System
Bowman's Capsule:
A C-shaped structure that surrounds the glomerulus and is the start of the convoluted tubule; it picks up materials filtered from the blood in the glomerulus and passes them into the tubule.
Cortex (core'-tex):
The outer section of the kidney. It contains most of the nephrons, which aid in the production of urine.
Excretory System (ex'-kreh-tor"-ee):
Another name for the urinary system.
Glomerulus (glow"-mare'-you-luss):
A cluster of capillaries located within the nephron (specifically within the Bowman's capsule). As blood passes through it, 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 the organ.
Homeostasis:
A state of equilibrium or constant state of natural balance in the internal environment of the body.
Kidneys:
Two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the vertebral column; they are the main filtering organs of the urinary system.
Medulla (meh-due'-la)
: The inner section of the kidney. It contains most of the collecting tubules, which carry the urine from the nephrons through the kidney.
Nephrons (nef'-ronz):
Microscopic filtering units located in the kidneys. There are more than one million per kidney.
Renal Pelvis:
Also called the renal basin, it is a funnel-shaped structure that is the first section of the ureter, where urine from the collecting ducts empties.
Ureters (you'-reh"-turz):
Two muscular tubes (approximately 10–12 inches long) that extend from the renal pelvis of each kidney to the bladder, carrying urine via peristalsis.
Urethra (you"-wreath'-rah):
The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Urinary Meatus (you'-rih-nah-ree" me-ate'-as):
The external opening of the urethra.
Urinary System:
Also known as the excretory system, it is responsible for removing certain wastes and excess water from the body and for maintaining the body's acid-base or pH balance.
Urine:
The liquid waste product produced by the urinary system. It is approximately 95 percent water and contains waste products such as urea, uric acid, and creatinine.
Void:
To urinate or micturate (eliminate urine from the body)