Urinary System Overview

Main Function

●​ The urinary system removes urea from the bloodstream.

●​ The bloodstream carries urea to the kidneys, where it passes with water, salts, and acids
into the kidneys.
●​ The kidneys filter waste, producing urine that travels through the ureters into the bladder.
●​ Urine is excreted from the bladder via the urethra.

Urinary System Components

●​ Kidneys (2)
●​ Ureters (2)
●​ Bladder (1)
●​ Urethra (1)

Word Elements (Combining Forms &

Suffixes)
Kidney-Related Terms
CF Meaning Example

ren/o kidney renal = pertaining to the kidney

nephr/o kidney nephrectomy = surgical removal of the kidney

pyel/o renal pelvis pyelonephritis = inflammation of the body and pelvis of the kidney

Urinary Bladder & Urethra Terms

CF Meaning Example

vesic/o urinary bladder vesicocele = hernia protrusion of the UB

cyst/o urinary bladder cystitis = inflammation of the urinary bladder

ureter/o ureter ureterostenosis = narrowing of a ureter

urethr/o urethra urethritis = inflammation of the urethra

Urine & Waste-Related Terms

CF Meaning Example

ur/o urine; urea uremia = excessive urea in the blood

uria urine condition pyuria = presence of pus in the urine

albumin/o albumin albuminuria = excessive albumin in the urine

keton/o ketones ketonuria = excessive ketones in the urine

Urinary System Organs

Kidneys

●​ Dark reddish-brown, bean-shaped organs located behind the abdominal cavity on each
side of the spine in the lumbar region.
●​ Embedded in adipose tissue and surrounded by connective tissue for support.
●​ Functions:
○​ Filter urea and waste products from the blood.
○​ Maintain water and electrolyte balance by secreting and retaining substances.
○​ Secretes renin (controls blood pressure) and erythropoietin (regulates red
blood cell production).
○​ Activate Vitamin D to stimulate calcium absorption.

Ureters

●​ Muscular tubes 15–18 inches long lined with a mucous membrane.

●​ Extend from the renal pelvis to the bladder.

Urinary Bladder

●​ A hollow, elastic muscular sac in the pelvic cavity.

●​ Temporary reservoir or "holding tank" for urine.
 ●​ Has two openings for urine from each ureter.

Urethra

●​ A membranous tube that carries urine from the bladder to the exterior of the body.
●​ Urination process: Called micturition (expelling or voiding urine).

Medical Terminology (Conditions &

Diseases)
Urinary Conditions
Term Word Elements Definition

anuria an = without; uria = urine Absence of urine formation

condition

cystitis cyst = urinary bladder; itis = Inflammation of the urinary bladder

inflammation

cystocele cyst = urinary bladder; cele = Protrusion of the UB through the vaginal
hernia/swelling wall

dysuria dys = difficulty; uria = urine Painful or difficult urination

condition

enuresis en = in; ur = urine; esis = Urinary incontinence, including bedwetting

condition

hydronephrosis hydro = water; nephr = kidney; Excessive urine accumulation in the renal
osis = condition pelvis due to ureteral obstruction

nephritis nephr = kidney; itis = Kidney inflammation, usually due to

inflammation infection

nephrolithiasis nephro = kidney; lith = stone; Presence of kidney stones

iasis = condition

nocturia noct = night; uria = urine Excessive nighttime urination

condition
oliguria olig = scanty, few; uria = urine Scanty urine production
condition

polyuria poly = many; uria = urine Excessive urine excretion (possible

condition diabetes sign)

renal colic ren = kidney; al = pertaining to Painful ureter contractions due to kidney
stones

uremia ur = urine/urea; emia = blood Elevated levels of urea or protein waste in

the blood

urethritis urethr = urethra; itis = Inflammation of the urethra, usually due to

inflammation infection

urinary No word element Inability to expel urine

retention

Diagnostic Procedures (DP)

Term Word Elements Definition

Blood Urea Nitrogen No word element Measures urea in blood; high

(BUN) levels indicate kidney impairment

Catheterization catheter = inserted; ization = Inserting a catheter through the

process urethra into the bladder to
withdraw urine

Cystography cysto = bladder; graphy = X-ray of the bladder after contrast

recording agent injection

Intravenous pyelo = renal pelvis; graphy = X-ray of kidneys, ureters, bladder,

Pyelography (IVP) recording urethra after IV contrast agent

Retrograde retro = backward; grade = X-ray of urinary collecting system

Pyelography step; pyelo = renal pelvis; using a contrast agent via a
graphy = recording cystoscope

Urinalysis urin = urine; alysis = analysis Physical, microscopic, or chemical

urine examination
Voiding cysto = bladder; urethra = X-ray of the bladder & urethra
Cystourethrography urethra; graphy = recording while urinating after contrast
administration

Treatment & Procedures (TP)

Term Word Elements Definition

Cystectomy cyst = bladder; ectomy = Surgical removal of the bladder

removal

Cystoplasty cysto = bladder; plasty = Surgical repair of the bladder

surgical repair

Lithotripsy litho = stone; tripsy = crushing Crushing of bladder/urethral stones

Hemodialysis hemo = blood; dia = through; Blood purification via a filtration

lysis = dissolution machine for kidney failure

Nephrectomy nephr = kidney; ectomy = Surgical removal of a kidney

removal

Peritoneal peritone = peritoneum; dia = Waste removal through a tube in the

Dialysis through; lysis = dissolution peritoneal cavity for kidney failure

Pyeloplasty pyelo = renal pelvis; plasty = Surgical repair of the renal pelvis
repair

Renal Biopsy bi = life; opsy = view Surgical kidney tissue extraction for
microscopic examination

Renal trans = through; plant = plant; Surgical implantation of a donor kidney

Transplantation ation = process

Ureteroplasty uretero = ureter; plasty = repair Surgical repair of a ureter

Urethroplasty urethra = urethra; plasty = Surgical repair of the urethra

repair