| A | B |
|---|
| Urinary System | Maintains homeostasis by filtering waste from blood and forming urine for elimination |
| Excretion | Removal of waste products such as urea, creatinine, and uric acid from the bloodstream |
| Blood Volume Regulation | function of urinary system; adjustment of water levels to influence blood pressure |
| Electrolyte Balance | Function of urinary system; maintenance of sodium, potassium, calcium, and other ion levels |
| Acid-Base Balance | Function of urinary system; regulation of blood pH |
| Kidneys | Two bean-shaped organs that filter blood, regulate pH balance, electrolyte levels and blood volume, and produce urine |
| Renal Capsule | Tough fibrous outer layer that protects the kidney |
| Hilum | Indentation where blood vessels and ureter enter and exit the kidney |
| Renal Cortex | Outer region of the kidney where blood filtration occurs |
| Renal Medulla | Inner region of the kidney where filtered fluid becomes urine |
| Renal Pelvis | Funnel-shaped structure in the kidney that collects urine and passes it to the ureter |
| Nephron | Functional unit of the kidney; filters blood and creates urine |
| Glomerulus | Cluster of capillaries in the nephron where filtration occurs |
| Bowman's Capsule | Structure that surrounds and collects filtered fluid from the glomerulus |
| Filtration | Process where water ions and small molecules are forced out of blood into the glomerulus (nephron) |
| Reabsorption | Return of useful substances like glucose and water to the blood |
| Secretion | Addition of extra waste substances into the nephron from blood |
| Urine | Fluid produced after filtration, reabsorption, and secretion |
| Ureters | Muscular tubes that carry urine from kidneys to bladder |
| Peristalsis (Urinary) | Wave-like contractions that move urine through ureters |
| Urinary Bladder | Hollow muscular organ that stores urine until it is excreted |
| Internal Urethral Sphincter | Involuntary muscle controlling urine release |
| External Urethral Sphincter | Voluntary muscle controlling urination |
| Urethra | Tube that carries urine from bladder to outside the body; in males also carries semen |
| Urinary Meatus | External opening of the urethra |
| Micturition | Voluntary control or act of urination |
| Urologist | Physician specializing in diagnosing and treating disorders of the urinary and male reproductive systems |
