arteriole
small artery
Bowman capsule
Enclosing structure surrounding each glomerulus.
calyx or calix
cup-like collecting region of the renal pelvis
catheter
tube for injecting or removing fluids
creatinine
waste product of muscle metabolism, nitrogenous waste excreted in urine.
electrolyte
a chemical element that carries an electrical charge when dissolved in water.
erythropoietin
A hormone secreted by the kidney to stimulate the production of red blood cells by bone marrow.
filtration
passive process whereby some substances, but not all, pass through a filter or other material.
glomerulus
tiny ball capillaries in cortex of kidney
hilum
depression or hollow in that part of an organ where blood vessels and nerves enter and leave
kidney
one of two bean-shaped organs behind the abdominal cavity on either side of the backbone in the lumbar region.
meatus
opening or canal
medulla
inner region of the kidney
micturition
urination; the act of voiding.
nephron
combination of glomerulus and renal tubule where filtration, reabsorption, and secretion take place in the kidney. It is the functional unit of the kidney, each capable of forming urine itself.
nitrogenous waste
substance containing nitrogen and excreted in urine.
potassium
an electrolyte important to body processes. the kidney regulates the balance of potassium concentration within the blood.
reabsorption
in this process, the renal tubules return materials necessary to the body back into the bloodstream
renal artery
blood vessel that carries blood to the kidney.
renal pelvis
central collecting region in the kidney.
renal tubule
microscopic tube in the kidney in which urine is formed after filtration.
renal vein
blood vessel that carries blood away from the kidney and toward the heart
renin
An enzymatic hormone synthesized, stored, and secreted by the kidney; it raises blood pressure by influencing vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels).
sodium
an electrolyte regulated in the blood and urine by the kidneys
trigone
triangular area in the urinary bladder in which the ureters enter and the urethra exits
urea
major nitrogenous waste product excreted in urine
ureter
tube leading from each kidney to the urinary bladder
urethra
tube leading from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body
uric acid
a nitrogenous waste excreted in the urine
urinary bladder
hollow muscular sac that stores urine
urination
process of expelling urine; also called micturition.
voiding
emptying of urine from the urinary bladder; urination or micturition.
cortex
outer region of the kidney.