Ch. 7.12 Urinary System Key Terms
A muscular sac in the pelvis, superior to the pubic bone, that stores urine before it is expelled from the body.
Bladder
A recessed area, or indentation, on the side of an organ (like the kidneys or lungs) where structures such as blood vessels, nerves, and tubes enter or leave. In the kidney, it is the entry point for the renal artery and the exit point for the renal vein and ureter.
Hilum
A tube that connects the urinary bladder to the exterior of the body, allowing urine to be excreted.
Urethra
A cup-like sac at the beginning of the nephron (the functional unit of the kidney) that surrounds the glomerulus. Its function is to collect the filtrate that is pushed out of the blood in the glomerulus.
Bowman's capsule
The tendency of the body to maintain a relatively stable and constant internal environment (such as stable temperature, pH, and fluid balance), which is critical for all biological processes to function correctly.
Homeostasis
The external opening, or orifice, of the urethra, through which urine leaves the body.
Urinary meatus
The outer layer of an organ. In the kidneys, the renal cortex is the outer region, located between the renal capsule and the renal medulla. It contains the glomeruli and the convoluted tubules of the nephrons.
Cortex
A pair of bean-shaped organs located in the abdominal area that filter blood to remove waste products and excess fluid, resulting in the production of urine. They are central to regulating fluid balance, pH electrolytes, and blood
Kidneys
The body system responsible for the production, storage, and elimination of urine. It consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra
Urinary system
A broader term that includes all organs and processes involved in removing metabolic waste products and excess materials from the body. This includes the urinary system, as well as the lungs (excreting CO2, skin (sweat), and large intestine (feces).
Excretory system
The inner region of an organ, deep to the cortex. In the kidneys, the renal medulla contains the renal pyramids and is primarily involved in regulating the concentration of urine.
Medulla
A liquid by-product of the body that is secreted by the kidneys through a process of filtration and reabsorption. It consists mainly of water, salts, and nitrogenous waste products like urea.
Urine
A tiny network of capillaries located within the Bowman's capsule in the nephron of the kidney. It is the primary site for the filtration of blood to begin urine formation.
Glomerulus
The funnel-shaped structure in the center of the kidney that collects urine from the calyces (draining ducts) before it passes out to the ureter
Renal pelvis
The act of emptying the urinary bladder; the medical term for urination.
Void
A pair of muscular tubes that transport urine from the renal pelvis of the kidneys down to the urinary bladder.
Ureters