Urine Production
What are the three main processes of urine formation?
Filtration, reabsorption, secretion
What structure carries urine from the kidney to the bladder?
Ureter
What percent of total body water is intracellular?
About 65%
What does "nephr/o" refer to?
Kidney
What is the most common nitrogenous waste in urine?
Urea
Where does filtration occur in the nephron?
Renal corpuscle - glomerulus and glomerular capsule
Which region of the kidney contains the renal pyramids?
Renal Medulla
By what process does water move between fluid compartments?
Osmosis
Define the term "azotemia."
Elevated nitrogenous wastes in the blood
Which diagnostic test uses a lighted scope to view the bladder?
Cystoscopy
What happens to urine volume when ADH levels increase?
Urine volume decreases due to more water reabsorption
Name the parts of the renal tubule in order.
Proximal convoluted tubule → Nephron loop → Distal convoluted tubule
What hormone increases water reabsorption by making the DCT and collecting ducts more permeable?
ADH - antidiuretic hormone
Match: glomerul/o = ?
Glomerulus
What is polycystic kidney disease (PKD)?
An inherited disorder where multiple fluid-filled cysts form on the kidneys
How does aldosterone affect sodium and water reabsorption?
Increases sodium reabsorption, which causes water to follow by osmosis, reducing urine output
What is the role of the juxtaglomerular apparatus?
Regulates blood pressure and filtrate formation via renin secretion
How does ANH (atrial natriuretic hormone) affect urine production?
Increases urine output by increasing filtration and inhibiting ADH and renin
What is the meaning of “pyel/o”?
Renal pelvis
What causes hydronephrosis?
Urine buildup in the kidney due to obstruction like kidney stones or tumors
Explain how the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) helps regulate blood pressure and urine production.
Renin → angiotensin I → angiotensin II → aldosterone release → increased sodium/water reabsorption → higher blood volume and pressure
Trace the flow of blood through the nephron, from the renal artery to the renal vein.
Renal artery → smaller arteries → afferent arteriole → glomerulus → efferent arteriole → peritubular capillaries → venules → veins → renal vein
Compare and contrast metabolic and respiratory acidosis.
Metabolic acidosis = failure of kidneys to excrete hydrogen or overproduction of acids; respiratory acidosis = buildup of CO₂ due to poor ventilation
Break down and define “glomerulonephritis."
Inflammation (-itis) of the glomerulus (glomerul/o) and kidney (nephr/o)
Differentiate between acute and chronic glomerulonephritis.
Acute often follows infection; causes protein/WBCs in urine. Chronic causes thickening of filtration membrane and can lead to renal failure.