Chapter 7: Vocabulary

small artery

active form of vitamin D, secreted by the kidney

cup-like collecting region of the renal pelvis

tube for injecting or removing fluids

the renal cortex is the outer region of the kidney

nitrogenous waste excreted in urine

chemical element that carries an electrical charge when dissolved in water; electrolytes are necessary for functioning of muscles and nerves

hormone secreted by the kidney to stimulate the production of red blood cells by bone marrow

process whereby some substances, but not all, pass through a filter

enclosing structure surrounding each glomerulus; collects the material that is filtered from the blood through the walls of the golmerulus

tiny ball of capillaries in the kidney

depression in an organ where blood vessels and nerves enter and leave

one of two bean-shaped organs on either side of the backbone in the lumbar region; it filters nitrogenous wastes from the bloodstream to form urine

opening or canal

the renal medulla is the inner region of the kidney

combination of glomerulus and renal tubule where filtration, reabsorption, and secretion take place in the kidney

substance containing nitrogen and excreted in urine

electrolyte regulated by the kidney so that a proper concentration is maintained within the blood; potassium is essential for allowing muscle contraction and conduction of nervous impulses

process whereby renal tubules return materials necessary to the body back into the bloodstream

blood vessel that carries blood to the kidney

central collecting region in the kidney

microscopic tube in the kidney where urine is formed after filtration

blood vessel that carries blood away from the kidney and toward the heart

hormone secreted by the kidney; it raises blood pressure by influencing vasoconstriction

electrolyte regulated in the blood and urine by the kidneys; needed for proper transmission of nerve impulses, heart activity, and other metabolic functions

triangular area in the urinary bladder

major nitrogenous waste excreted in urine

one of the two tubes leading from the kidneys to the urinary bladder

tube leading from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body

nitrogenous waste excreted in the urine

hollow, muscular sac that holds and stores urine

process of expelling urine; also called micturition