Ch. 7.12 Urinary System Key Terms
Bladder
A hollow, muscular sac that lies behind the symphysis pubis and at the midline of the pelvic cavity.
Bowman’s capsule
Picks up the materials filtered from the blood in the glomerulus and passes them into the convoluted tubule.
Cortex
The outer section of the kidney which contains most of the nephrons.
Excretory system
Responsible for removing certain wastes and excess water from the body and for maintaining the body’s acid-base or pH balance.
Glomerulus
A cluster of capillaries.
Hilum
A notched or indented area through which the ureter, nerves, blood vessels, and lymph vessels enter and leave the kidney.
Homeostasis
A state of equilibrium or constant state of natural balance in the internal environment of the body.
Kidneys
Two bean-shaped organs.
Medulla
The inner section of the kidney which contains most of the collecting tubules.
Nephrons
Microscopic filtering units located in the kidneys.
Renal Pelvis
A funnel-shaped structure that is the first section of the ureter.
Ureters
Two muscular tubes approximately 10-12 inches in length.
Urethra
The tube that carries the urine from the bladder to the outside.
Urinary meatus
The external opening.
Urinary system
Maintain correct blood volume levels and keep the body in a normal homestay range.
Urine
Liquid waste product produced by the urinary system.
Void
Urinate or micturate.