Urinary System Terminology

1. Introduction to Urinary System Terminology

In this lesson, you will learn terminology related to the urinary system.

The urinary system filters waste products from the blood and produces urine. It also performs several additional physiological processes, such as regulating fluid volume and electrolyte levels, releasing hormones to control blood pressure and red blood cell production, and helping with bone health by controlling calcium and phosphorus levels (Electrolytes are charged species, such as sodium; Merriam-Webster, n.d.). It regulates the salt-water balance in the body, helping to keep the correct concentrations of dissolved substances in body fluids.

did you know

Keeping hydrated is important for health. You may have seen recommendations about making sure to drink enough water each day.

But drinking too much water can actually be dangerous. When someone consumes too much water, they become overhydrated. Severe overhydration is called water intoxication and can even be fatal.

IN CONTEXT
Water Intoxication

Water intoxication is most common in certain circumstances. Athletes who drink large amounts of water to combat dehydration can be at risk. People who are regularly exposed to high temperatures, such as those who work outside, can be at risk. Additionally, people who use MDMA (also called molly or ecstasy) or those with certain medical conditions (such as kidney disease, liver disease, or congestive heart failure) are at higher risk. Congestive heart failure, or CHF, is a condition in which the heart can’t pump effectively enough; blood builds up in parts of the body as a result (Cleveland Clinic, 2023 and 2024).

There are sometimes high-profile cases of death due to water intoxication. In 2023, a 35-year-old woman who felt dehydrated drank more water as she felt progressively unwell (GMA Team, 2023). In 2007, a 28-year-old woman died after participating in a radio station contest to try to win a video game; her family later received compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit (ABC News GMA, 2009).

To prevent water intoxication, be careful not to drink over 32 ounces of water within an hour and notice possible symptoms, such as having a headache or feeling nauseated or bloated. Using electrolyte drinks instead of straight water can also help (Cleveland Clinic, 2024). Seek medical advice if you aren’t sure whether symptoms represent dehydration or overhydration, or if you have other concerns.

Here is a quick introduction to urinary system anatomy to help you understand the related urinary system word parts presented in this lesson. You will learn more about these anatomical structures and their functions later in this challenge.

The figure above shows the male urinary system. Note the kidneys, one on each side of the middle torso, toward the rear of the abdomen (which is why kidney problems sometimes produce back pain; Mayo Clinic, 2023). Each kidney drains into a ureter. The ureters extend down to the bladder, from which a single urethra transports urine out of the body. Note the prostate gland below the bladder. The prostate is a reproductive gland and sometimes becomes enlarged. Its location near the bladder is why an enlarged prostate can sometimes cause frequent or difficulty with urination, among other urinary symptoms (Mayo Clinic, 2024).

The illustration above shows a nephron. Each kidney contains many nephrons. Nephrons are the functional units of the kidney, meaning that they filter the blood and produce urine. Nephrons are tubular structures (tubules). Each nephron has a cup-like glomerular capsule (Bowman’s capsule) that surrounds a capillary called the glomerulus. The glomerular capsule joins to the proximal convoluted tubule, which joins to the loop of Henle. The loop of Henle extends down from Bowman’s capsule and the proximal convoluted tubule (the descending loop of Henle), then loops up again (the ascending loop of Henle). The ascending loop of Henle meets the distal convoluted tubule, which drains into a collecting duct that also receives urine from other nephrons.

2. Prefixes

The table below shows common prefixes that you will encounter as you learn about the urinary system. Most of these should be familiar. Remember that many other prefixes are also used, including prefixes that you have already learned.

3. Combining Forms

Many combining forms that you have already learned are relevant to learning about the urinary system. Some examples of familiar combining forms and a few new combining forms are in the table below. The table below focuses on combining forms that describe urinary system structures.

try it

Let’s try some examples. Consider the following terms:

• renal transplant
• cystoscopy
• nephrectomy

Based on other terms and word parts that you know, what does renal transplant mean?

A renal transplant is a procedure in which a kidney is taken from a donor and surgically implanted into a recipient to replace a kidney that is diseased or not functioning well in some other way.

Based on the word parts, what does cystoscopy mean?

Cyst/o means bladder or sac, and –scopy means to visualize using a scope. So cystoscopy is a technique used to visualize the bladder using a scope. More specifically, cystoscopy is actually used to view both the urethra and the bladder.

Based on the word parts, what does nephrectomy mean?

Nephr/o means kidney, and –ectomy means surgical removal. Therefore, nephrectomy means the surgical removal of a kidney.

Here are more examples of combining forms that are useful to know as you learn about the urinary system.

try it

Let’s try an example. Consider the word urology.

Based on the word parts, what does urology mean?

Ur/o refers to urine, and –ology means study. So, based on the word parts, urology means the study of urine. Urology actually involves the study of urinary systems, not just urine, as well as the study of the male reproductive system (which is closely tied to the male urinary system and shares some components).

4. Suffixes

In addition to prefixes and combining forms, many suffixes are useful in discussing the urinary system. The table below includes familiar suffixes and a few new suffixes that will be helpful.

try it

Let’s try an example.

What do the word parts in polyuria mean?

Poly- means many or much, and –uria means urine. Polyuria means producing an excessive amount of urine.

A summary of some terms commonly used to document urine and urination (the production of urine) is as follows:

• Anuria: Absence of urine output, typically found during kidney failure, defined as less than 50 mL of urine over a 24-hour period.
• Diuresis: Increased production of urine.
• Dysuria: Painful or difficult urination.
• Enuresis: Involuntary urination, especially by children at night.
• Frequency: The need to urinate several times during the day or at night (nocturia) in normal or less-than-normal volumes. It may be accompanied by a feeling of urgency.
• Hematuria: Blood in the urine, either visualized or found during microscopic analysis.
• Oliguria: Decreased urine output, defined as less than 500 mL of urine in adults in a 24-hour period.
• Nocturia: The need to get up at night on a regular basis to urinate. Nocturia often causes sleep deprivation that affects a person’s quality of life.
• Polyuria: Greater than 2.5 liters of urine output over 24 hours, also referred to as diuresis. New polyuria should be reported to the health care provider because it can be a sign of many medical conditions.
• Pyuria: White blood cells in a urine sample, indicating infection. In severe infections, pus may be visible in the urine.
• Urgency: A sensation of an urgent need to void. Urgency can cause urge incontinence if the patient is not able to reach the bathroom quickly.
• Urinal: A receptacle used for urine collection, especially in health care facilities.

term to know

The table below lists a term that is especially important or that may be difficult to pronounce. Audio is provided to help you learn how to say this term.

REFERENCES

Cleveland Clinic. (2023, March 10). Congestive Heart Failure: Symptoms, Stages & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17069-heart-failure-understanding-heart-failure

Cleveland Clinic. (2024, September 9). Water Intoxication: Toxicity, Symptoms & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/water-intoxication

GMA Team GMA. (2023, August 4). Mom of 2 dies of water intoxication, family says. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Wellness/family-speaks-after-35-year-woman-dies-water/story?id=102016903

ABC News GMA. (2009, November 1). Jury rules against radio station after water-drinking contest kills Calif. mom. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/jury-rules-radio-station-jennifer-strange-water-drinking/story?id=8970712

Cambridge University Press. (n.d.). Meatus. Cambridge University Press. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/meatus

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Meatus. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meatus

Cleveland Clinic. (2024, March 27). Meatal Stenosis. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16295-meatal-stenosis

Mayo Clinic. (2023, April 11). Kidney Pain. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/kidney-pain/basics/definition/sym-20050902

Mayo Clinic. (2024, September 24). Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20370087

NYU Langone Health. (n.d.). Surgery for Urethral Stricture. NYU Langone Health. https://nyulangone.org/conditions/urethral-stricture/treatments/surgery-for-urethral-stricture

Albuminuria: Albumin in Urine. (2016). National Institutes of Health (NIH): National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Albuminuria: Albumin in the Urine - NIDDK

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Azotorrhea. Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary. www.merriam-webster.com/medical/azotorrhea

Cleveland Clinic. (2022, April 29). Blastocyst. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22889-blastocyst

Cleveland Clinic. (2024, May 17). Glycosuria. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/glycosuria

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.a,). Cystolithiasis. Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary. www.merriam-webster.com/medical/cystolithiasis

Cleveland Clinic. (2024, April 24). Nocturia. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14510-nocturia

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.b,). Gallstone. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gallstone