33.5: Key Terms — Read — Invisible Network

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blood urea nitrogen (BUN): a blood test that measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood; elevated levels can indicate decreased renal function

Bowman’s capsule: part of the nephron that contains the glomerulus

cortical nephrons: comprise a majority of the functional units of the kidney located in the outer renal cortex

fenestrated capillaries: small blood vessels in the glomerulus that filter waste

glomerular filtration: initial step in making urine involving the filtering of excess fluid and waste products from blood

glomerular filtration rate (GFR): the rate at which the kidneys filter the blood, calculated using the results of blood tests that measure renal function

glomerulus: located in nephrons, a tuft of capillaries surrounded by the Bowman’s capsule that filters blood

hilum: indentation on the medial side of the kidney that allows blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves to enter and exit

juxtamedullary nephrons: nephrons with longer loops of Henle that extend into the medulla

loop of Henle: part of the nephron that contributes to absorption of sodium

mesangial cells: cells that increase the body surface area for glomerular filtration by limiting the size of molecules that can be filtered

micturition: the process through which urine is released from the bladder

nephrons: the functional units of the kidney that produce urine

renal colic: acute pain associated with kidney stones

renal cortex: outermost layer of the internal areas of the kidney containing nephrons

renal medulla: inner part of the kidney containing structures essential for regulating urine concentration

renal pelvis: funnel-shaped area of the kidney that collects urine and is connected to the ureter

tubular necrosis: damage to the tubule cells of the kidney typically resulting from reduced blood flow or chemical exposure

vasa recta: long, hairpin-shaped blood vessels that run parallel to the loops of Henle and facilitate water reabsorption

vesicoureteral reflux: abnormal backflow of urine from the bladder up through the ureters

This page titled 33.5: Key Terms was last modified on Sun, 29 Dec 2024 07:59:05 GMT and is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax.

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