Term | Definition |
-cele | hernia, tumor, swelling |
cyst/o | urinary bladder, cyst, sac or fluid |
dia- | through, between, apart, complete |
-ectasis | stretching, dilation, enlargement |
glomerul/o | glomerulus |
lith/o | stone, calculus |
-lysis | breakdown, separation, setting free, destruction, loosening |
nephr/o | kidney |
-pexy | surgical fixation |
pyel/o | renal pelvis, bowl of kidney |
-tripsy | to crush |
ur/o | urine, urinary tract |
ureter/o | ureter |
urethr/o | urethra |
-uria | urination, urine |
homeostasis | the process through which the body maintains a constant internal environment. |
home/o | constant |
-stasis | control |
functions of homeostasis | maintains proper balance of water, salts, & acids by filtering blood as flows through kidneys. |
what is removed during homeostasis blood filtering | removes urea, creatinine, uric acid, and other waste materials from bloodstream & excess fluids into urine for excretion |
urea | major waste product of protein metabolism |
creatinine | waste product of muscle metabolism |
urinary tract | aka urinary system: 2 kidneys, 2 ureters, 1 bladder, 1 urethra |
where are adrenal glands & which system to they belong? | on top of the kidneys, endocrine system |
urinary tract and reproductive organs when referred together | genitourinary tract |
kidneys | filter blood to remove waste & excess water. Maintain proper level of fluid, produce hormones that control blood pressure & make RBC's, activate vit D to maintain healthy bones |
amount of blood processed by kidneys daily | 200 quarts, which produces an avg of 2 quarts of urine |
renal | pertaining to the kidneys |
ren | kidney |
shape of kidneys | bean |
where are kidneys located | retroperitoneal space, 1 on each side of vertebral column below diaphragm & lower edge of rib cage. |
retroperitoneal | behind the peritoneum, which is the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity |
renal cortex | outer region of the kidney. Layer of tissue that contains more than 1 mil microscopic units called nephrons. |
cortex | outer portion of an organ |
medulla | inner region of the kidney, contains most of the urine-collecting tubules |
tubules | small tube |
nephrons | microscopic functional units of ea kidney. Urine is produced here through processes of filtration, reabsorbtion, & secretion. |
reabsorbtion | return to the blood of some of the substances that were removed during filtration |
glomerulus | contained in each nephron; cluster of capillaries surrounded by cup-shaped membrane called Bowman's capsule & a renal tube |
where blood enters the kidney | through the renal artery & flows into the nephrons |
nephron & associated structures | Bowman's capsule, glomerulus, efferent arteriole, afferent arteriole, renal tubules, renal artery, renal vein, collecting duct, peritubular capillaries |
renal vein | after passing through glomerulus, filtered blood containing protein & blood cells leaves kidney & returns to bloodstream through this |
where does remaining filtrate flow after filtered blood leaves kidney? | flows into renal tubules, where elements, including some water, sugar, & salts, are returned to bloodstream via nearby capillary |
what happens if waste products cannot be efficiently removed from the bloodstream? | body cannot maintain homeostasis |
renal pelvis description/ location | funnel-shaped area inside each kidney that is surrounded by the renal cortex & medulla. |
what happens in the renal pelvis? | newly formed urine from the nephrons collects here before it flows into the ureters. |
ureters | 2 narrow tubes, ea 10-12" long, transport urine from kidney to bladder. |
peristalsis | series of wave-like contractions, moves urine down each ureter to bladder |
ureteral orifices | urine drains from the ureters into the bladder through these, located in the wall of the urinary bladder |
orifice | opening |
urinary bladder | oval, hollow, muscular organ that is a reservoir for urine before it is excreted from body |
where is the urinary bladder | anterior portion of the pelvic cavity behind the pubic symphysis. |
how much urine can average adult bladder hold? | more than 1 pint |
rugae | like stomach, bladder lined with these folds that allow it to expand when full & contract when empty |
urethra | tube extending from bladder to exterior of body |
urinary sphincters | 2, one @ each end of urethra. Muscular rings that control flow of urine from bladder into urethra & out the urethral meatus |
sphincter | ring-like muscle that closes a passageway |
urethral meatus | aka urinary meatus; external opening of the urethra |
meatus | external opening of a canal |
female urethra | approx 1.5" long & urethral meatus is located btw the clitoris & opening of vagina. Transports urine only. |
male urethra | approx 8" long & urethral meatus located at tip of penis. Transports urine & semen. |
prostate gland | part of male reproductive system, surrounds urethra |
urination | aka voiding or micturition; excreting urine |
Produces urge to urinate | as bladder fills up w/ urine, pressure placed on the base of the urethra |
action of urination | coordinated contraction of bladder muscles & relaxation of sphincters to force urine through urethra & out meatus |
nephrologist | physician who specializes in diagnosing & treating diseases & disorders of the kidneys |
nephr | kidney |
urologist | physician who specializes in diagnosing & treating diseases & disorders of the urinary system of females & genitourinary system of males |
ur | urine |
nephropathy | any disease of the kidney: includes both degererative & inflammatory conditions |
diabetic nephropathy | kidney disease resulting from late-stage diabetes mellitus |
renal failure | aka kidney failure; inability of 1 or both kidneys to perform their functions. |
damaged nephrons | body cannot replace the damaged ones & when too many are destroyed it leads to kidney failure |
azotemia | elevation of the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) caused by lack of blood flow to each kidney. Uremia can occur when excess toxic |
uremia | aka uremic poisoning; toxic condition resulting from renal failure in which kidney function compromised & waste retained in blood |
acute renal failure | ARF, sudden onset & characterized by uremia. Fatal if not reversed promptly. Kidneys not receiving enough blood to filter |
what is typically the cause of the kidneys not receiving enough blood to filter? | dehydration, or sudden drop in blood volume or blood pressure from injury, burns, or a severe infection |
chronic kidney disease | CKD; aka chronic renal disease or kidney failure; progressive loss of renal function over months or years. Can be life threatening |
chronic kidney disease may result from | diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or a family history of kidney disease |
buildup of waste in blood from chronic kidney disease can be a contributing factor in | heart attacks and strokes |
end-stage renal disease | ESRD; final stage of chronic kidney disease, fatal unless functions of kidneys are replaced by dialysis or transplant |
nephrotic syndrome | aka nephrosis; group of conditions in which excessive amts of protein are lost through urine. |
what usually causes nephrotic syndrome | damaged glomeruli, which results in abnormally low levels of protein in blood |
nephro/o | kidney |
edema | excessive fluid accumulation in body tissues that can be symptomatic of nephrotic syndrome or other kidney diseases. |
where does edema occur | around eyes, abdomen, or legs & feet |
hyperproteinuria | presence of abnormally high concentrations of protein in the urine |
hypoproteinemia | presence of abnormally low concentrations of protein in the blood. Associated w/ hyperproteinuria |
causes of nephrotic syndrome | diabetes mellitus, infection, kidney disorders. |
minimal change disease | nephrons look normal under regular microscope & is most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children |
hydronephrosis | dilation (swelling) of 1 or both kidneys. |
nephrolith | kidney stone |
nephritis | inflammation of the kidney(s) |
most common causes of nephritis | from toxins, infection, or an autoimmune disease |
most common causes of hydronephrosis | Can be caused by backing up of urine from nephrolith or stricture in ureter |
glomerulonephritis | type of nephritis caused by inflammation of glomeruli that causes RBC's & proteins to leak into the urine |
nephroptosis | aka floating kidney; the prolapse, or dropping down, of a kidney into the pelvic area when patient stands |
-ptosis | droop or sag |
prolapse | slipping or falling out of place |
nephropyosis | aka pyonephrosis; suppuration of the kidney |
py | pus |
suppuration | formation or discharge of pus |
polycycstic kidney disease | PKD; genetic disorder characterized by growth of numerous fluid-filled cysts in kidneys. |
what do PKD cysts do? | slowly replace much of the mass of the kidney, reduce kidney function, which leads to kidney failure |
renal colic | acute pain in the kidney area that is caused by blockage during the passage of a nephrolith |
renal colic | spasms of pain in the abdomen, sometimes comes in waves due to peristaltic movement of ureters |
Wilms tumor | rare type of malignant tumor of the kidney that occurs in young children. High cure rate when treated promptly |
stone | aka calculus; abnormal mineral deposit that has formed w/in the body & is named for organ or tissue where located |
sizes of stones | as small as a grain of sand or as large as a marble, which can become lodged |
how do stones form in urinary system | when waste products in urine separate & crystallize, which could be from dehydration or something that disrupts balance |
nephrolithiasis | presence of stones in the kidney, when stone travels it is named for location where it lodges |
-lithiasis | presence of stones |
nephrolith | aka kidney stone or renal calculus; found in kidney |
ureterolith | stone located anywhere along ureter |
cystolith | stone located w/in urinary bladder |
hydroureter | the distention (swelling) of the ureter w/ urine that cannot flow b/c ureter is blocked. Always accompanies hydronephrosis |
ureterectasis | distention (swelling) of a ureter due to hydroureter or congenital abnormalies |
ureterorrhagia | discharge of blood from the ureter |
cystalgia | pain in the bladder |
cystdynia | pain in the bladder |
cystocele | aka prolapsed bladder, hernia of the bladder through vaginal wall, sometimes from pregnancy or childbirth |
interstitial cystitis | chronic inflammation w/in walls of bladder. |
symptoms of interstitial cystitis | similar to those of cystitis, but do not respond to traditional treatment |
interstitial | relating to spaces w/in a tissue or organ |
vesicoureteral reflux | VUR; backward flow of urine into ureters from the bladder, most common in infants & children |
vesic/o | bladder |
vesicovaginal fistula | abnormal opening btw bladder and vagina that allows constant involuntary flow of urine from bladder into vagina |
fistual | abnormal passage btw 2 internal organs |
cause of vesicovaginal fistula | prolonged labor during childbirth or surgery such as a hysterectomy |
neurogenic bladder | urinary problem caused by interference w/ normal nerve pathways associated w/ urination. |
normal urinary function depends on | nerves to sense when bladder is full and to control the muscles that either retain the urine or allow the bladder to empty |
types of problems caused from neurogenic bladder | incontinence, urinary retention w/ overflow leakage |
causes of a neurgenic bladder | tumor of nervous system, trauma, neuropathy, or inflammatory condition like MS |
neuropathy | any disease or damage to a nerve |
benign prostatic hyperplasia | aka benign prostatic hypertrophy or enlarged prostate; enlargement of prostate that occurs in men over 50 |
problems that a benign prostatic hyperlasia cause | urination difficult and causes other urinary-tract problems in men |
hyperplasia | increase in cell #'s typically associated w/ tumor growth |
prostatism | disorder resulting from compression or obstruction of the urethra due to benign prostatic hyperplasia |
prostat | prostate |
-ism | condition of |
prostatism can cause | difficulties w/ urination, including urinary retention |
prostate cancer | one of the most common cancers among men. Can grow slowly w/ no symptoms or aggressively & spread th/o body |
prostatitis | group of disorders characterized by inflammation of prostate gland |
chronic nonbacterial prostatitis | most common type of prostatitis; no single known cause |
bacterial prostatisis | usually results from bacteria transported in urine |
urethrorrhagai | bleeding from the urethra |
urethrorrhea | an abnormal discharge from the urethra, condition associated w/ some STDs |
urethrostenosis | aka urethral stricture, narrowing of urethra. Occurs almost exclusively in men & caused by scarring from infection/ injury |
epispadias | congenital abnormality of urethral opening. |
epispadias in men | urethral opening is located on upper surface of penis |
epispadias in women | urethral opening is in the region of the clitoris |
hypospadias | congenital abnormality of the urethral opening. |
hypospadias in men | urethral opening is on the ventral surface (underside) of the penis |
hypospadias in women | urethra opens into the vagina |
urinary tract infection | UTI; usually begins in bladder but can affect all parts of urinary system |
urinary tract infections caused by | bacteria, most often E. coli, entering urinary system through urethra. More frequent in women. |
cystitis | inflammation of the bladder |
pyelonephritis | inflammation of both the renal pelvis and kidney, usually caused by bacterial infection that has spread upward from bladder |
pyel/o | renal pelvis |
nephr | kidney |
urethritis | inflammation of the urethra |
anuria | absence of urine formation by kidneys, often caused by kidney failure or urinary tract obstruction |
diuresis | increased output of urine |
di- | through |
-uresis | urination |
dysuria | difficult or painful urination, frequently associated w/ urinary tract infections |
enuresis | involuntary discharge of urine |
nocturnal enuresis | aka bed-wetting; urinary incontinence during sleep |
nocturnal | pertaining to night |
nocturia | frequent & excessive urination during the night |
noct | night |
oliguria | scanty urination, can be caused by dehydration, renal failure, or a urinary tract obstruction. Opposite of polyuria |
polyuria | excessive urination & is symptom of diabetes. Opposite of oliguria |
urinary hesitancy | difficulty in starting a urinary stream, most common in older men w/ enlarged prostate glands |
bashful bladder syndrome | inability to urinate when another person is present (younger people) |
urinary retention | aka ischuria; inability to completely empty bladder when attempting to urinate. More common in older men |
incontinence | inability to control the excretion of urine, feces, or both |
urinary incontinence | inability to control the voiding of urine |
overflow incontinence | continuous leaking from the bladder either b/c full or b/c it does not empty completely. Usually caused by blocked urethra. Men |
stress incontinence | inability to control the voiding of urine under physical stress such as running, lifting, sneezing, laughing, or coughing. Women |
overactive bladder | OAB; aka urge incontinence; occurs when muscles of bladder contract involuntarily even though bladder is not full enough to indicate need to urinate. |
overactive bladder can be caused by | over 40, excessive consumption of caffeine or alcohol, urinary tract infections, neurological diseases, or bladder/ prostate prob |
urinalysis | examination of urine to determine the presence of abnormal elements. test for diseases, pregnancy, drugs |
bladder ultrasound | use of handheld ultrasound transducer to look for stones or elevation of the bladder by enlarged prostate & measure residual amt of urine after urination |
normal bladder holds how many mL's of urine | 300-400 mL |
distended bladder | when more than 300-400mL of urine is present after urination & is enlarged |
urinary catheterization | insertion of a tube into the bladder to procure a sterile specimen for diagnostic purposes. Drain bladder when patient unable or place medication in bladder |
cystoscopy | visual exam of urinary bladder w/ use of specialized type of endoscope known as cystoscope |
endoscope | instrument used for visual exam of internal structures |
voiding cystourethrography | diagnostic procedure in which a flouroscope is used to examine flow of urine from bladder & through urethra |
computed tomography | CT scan; used as a primary tool for evaluation of the urinary system b/c it can be rapidly performed & provides additional imaging of abdomen, which may reveal other potential sources for patient's symptoms |
nephrotomography | use of a CAT scan to examine kidneys |
glomerular filtration rate | GFR; blood test to check how well kidneys are functioning at filtering blood. Can help diagnose CKD & kidney failure |
blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test | like GFR, an indicator of kidney function |
cystography | is a radiographic exam of the bladder after a contrast medium is instilled via a urethral catheter |
cystogram | resulting film of a cystography |
intravenous pyelography | aka excretory urography; radiographic study of the kidneys & ureters. |
how is an intravenous pyelography performed? | contrast medium is administred intravenously to clearly define these structures in the resulting image |
resulting image of an intravenous pyelography | intravenous pyelogram IVP |
what is an intravenous pylography performed for? | used to diagnose changes in urinary tract, resulting from nephroliths, infections, enlarged prostate, tumors, & internal injuries after an abdominal trauma |
KUB | kidneys, ureters, bladder; aka flat-plate of the abdomen; radiographic study w/o use of contrast medium |
what is a KUB used for? | to detect bowel obstructions & nephroliths, does not show ureters |
retrograde urography | radiograph of the urinary system taken after a contrast medium has been placed in the urethra through a sterile catheter & caused flow upward through the urinary tract |
retrograde | moving backward |
digital rectal examination | performed on men by using lubricated, gloved finger placed in rectum to palpate the prostate gland to detect prostate enlargement & look for indications of cancer/ tumors |
digital | using a finger |
palpate | use of touch to examine a body part |
prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test | used to screen for prostate cancer. Measures amt of prostate- specific antigen that is present in a blood specimen. |
prostate-specific antigen | PSA; protein produced by cells of prostate gland to help liquefy semen. Higher PSA level, more likely cancer present |
diuretics | medications administered to increase urine secretion, primarily to rid the body of excess water & salt. |
antispasmodics | block signals that cause urinary incontinence |
important dietary considerations for ppl w/ kidney disease | monitoring amt of sodium, potassium, protein, & phosphorus in their diet |
dialysis | procedure to remove waste products, such as urea, creatinine, & excess water from blood of patient whose kidneys no longer function |
2 types of dialysis in common use | hemodialysis & peritoneal dialysis |
hemodialysis | aka artificial kidney; process by which waste products are filtered directly from patient's blood. Most common type. |
shunt in hemodialysis | implanted in patient's arm & connected to hemodialysis unit. Arterial blood flows through the filters of the unit. |
shunt | artificial passage that allows the blood to flow btw body & hemodialysis unit |
dialysate | a sterilized solution made up of water & electrolytes that is contained in the filters for hemodialysis; cleanses blood by removing waste products & excess fluids |
electrolytes | salts that conduct electricity & are found in the body fluid, tissue, & blood |
peritoneal dialysis | lining of peritoneal cavity acts as filter to remove waste from blood. Sterile dialysate flows into peritoneal cavity around intestine through a catheter implanted in abdominal wall. |
which type of dialysis can usually be done at home? | peritoneal dialysis |
which type of dialysis is less effective? | peritoneal dialysis |
which type of dialysis takes approx 4 hrs 3x's per week? | hemodialysis |
which type of dialysis is repeated several times per day & can be done with automated system? | peritoneal dialysis |
continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis | CAPD; provides ongoing dialysis as patient goes about his/ her daily activities. |
Process of CAPD | dialysate solution instilled from plastic container worn under clothing & every 4 hrs the used solution is drained back into bag & bag is discarded, then new bag attached. |
continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis | CCPD uses a machine to cycle the dialysate solution during night while sleeping |
automated peritoneal dialysis | APD; uses a machine to cycle the dialysate solution during night while sleeping |
nephrolysis | surgical freeing of a kidney from adhesions OR a pathologic condition in which there is distruction of renal cells |
adhesion | band of fibers that holds structures together abnormally |
-lysis | setting free, but also means distruction |
nephropexy | aka nephrorrhaphy; surgical fixation of a nephroptosis, or floating kidney |
-pexy | surgical fixation |
nephrostomy | placement of catheter to maintain an opening from pelvis of one or both kidneys to exterior of body |
pyelotomy | surgical incision into renal pelvis. Performed to correct obstructions such as a stone lodged btw renal pelvis & ureter |
renal transplantation | aka kidney transplant; grafting of a donor kidney from living or dead donor into body to replace recipient's failed kidneys. |
extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy | ESWL; most common kidney stone treatment. High-energy ultrasonic waves traveling through water or gel used to break stone into fragments, then excreted in urine. |
extracorporeal | situated or occurring outside the body |
lithotripsy | used to break up kidney, ureter, bladder, or urethral stones |
-tripsy | to crush |
percutaneous nephrolithotomy | surgical removal of a nephrolith through a small incision in the back, used if ESWL not successful |
percutaneous | performed through the skin |
ureterectomy | surgical removal of a ureter |
ureterorrhaphy | surgical suturing of a ureter |
ureteroscopy | treatment for nephrolith lodged in the ureter. ureteroscope inserted through the urethra & bladder & into ureter. Removed intact w/ scope if possible. |
ureteroscope | specialized instrument used for ureteroscopy |
cystectomy | surgical removal of all or part of the urinary bladder, usually performed to treat bladder cancer |
ileal conduit | aka urinary ileostomy; use of a small piece of intestine to convey urine to the ureters & to a stoma in the abdomen |
ile | ileum or small intestine |
cystorrhaphy | surgical suturing of a wound or defect in the bladder |
lithotomy | surgical incision for the removal of a nephrolith from the bladder & is no longer common. |
even though a lithotomy is no longer common, what is the term used for? | describe a physical exam position for procedures involving the pelvis & lower abdomen |
urinary catheterization | aka cathing; performed to withdraw urine for diagnostic purposes, to allow urine to drain freely, or to place a fluid into bladder. |
indwelling catheter | remains inside body for a prolonged time based on need |
indwelling | residing within |
urethral catheterization | performed by inserting a plastic tube called a catheter through urethra & into bladder |
suprapubic catheterization | placement of a catheter into the bladder through a small incision made through the abdominal wall just above pubic bone |
Foley catheter | most common type of indwelling catheter. Made of flexible tube w/ balloon filled w/ sterile water @ end to hold in place. |
Foley catheter named after | surgeon Frederic Foley |
intermittent catheter | aka short-term catheter, inserted as needed several times a day to drain urine from the bladder |
meatotomy | surgical incision made in the urethral meatus to enlarge the opening |
urethroplasty | surgical repair of damage or a defect in the walls of the urethra |
urethrotomy | surgical incision into the urethra for relief of a stricture |
stricture | abnormal narrowing of a bodily passage |
ablation | term used to describe some types of treatment of prostate cancer. Involves removal of body part or destruction of its function through use of surgery, hormones, drugs, heat, chemicals, electrocautery, or other methods |
electrocautery | use of high-frequency electrical current to destroy tissue |
prostatectomy | surgical removal of part or all of the prostate gland. Performed to treat prostate cancer or reduce size, but can lead to erectile difficulties |
radical prostatectomy | surgical removal of the entire prostate gland in cases where it is extremely enlarged or when cancer suspected |
transurethral prostatectomy | TURP; removal of excess tissue from enlarged prostate gland w/ use of resectoscope |
resectoscope | specialized endoscopic instrument that resembles a cystoscope |
retrograde ejaculation | an orgasm results in semen flowing backward into the bladder instead of out through the penis. Most common long-term complication of a TURP. |
retrograde | moving backward |
radiation therapy & hormone therapy, men | additional treatments used to control prostate cancer |
watchful waiting | often the prescribed course of action for older patients b/c prostate cancer normally progresses slowly |
Kegel exercises | named for Dr. Arnold Kegel, are series of pelvic muscle exercises used to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor. Used to control urinary stress incontinence in both sexes. |
Kegel exercises benefit for men | control urinary stress incontinence and to treat prostate pain and swelling |
Kegel exercises benefit for women | control urinary stress incontinence and to condition the muscles so they will recover quickly after childbirth |
bladder retraining | behavioral therapy in which the patient learns to urinate on a schedule, w/ increasingly longer time intervals as bladder increases capacity. |
goal of bladder retrainin | reestablish voluntary bladder control & to break the cycle of frequency & urgency that results |
ARF | acute renal failure |
BPH | benign prostatic hyperplasia |
cath | catheterization |
CKD | chronic kidney disease |
cysto | cystoscopy |
DRE | digital rectal examination |
ESRD | end-stage renal disease |
ESWL | extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy |
PKD | polycystic kidney disease |
TURP | transurethral resection of the prostate |
UTI | urinary tract infection |