Exam 4 Review:  Chapter 25:  Urinary Tract Diseases

renal calculi = kidney stones - Hard, crystalline masses which precipitate out of the urine and collect in the duct system draining the kidney; precipitation is usually due to a reduced flow or a highly concentrated urine; most precipitates contain calcium salts of oxalate or phosphate; causes include hereditary disposition to stone formation, urinary tract infections, cystic kidney diseases, renal tubular acidosis, hyperparathyroidism, and certain metabolic disorders; symptoms include pain, dysuria, blood in the urine, and sometimes fever and chills, especially if an infection is present.

shock wave lithotripsy - The pulverization of kidney stones or gallstones by the use of a lithotripter, an instrument which focuses sound waves on the stone while the patient sits inside a water bath.

ptosis (= nephroptosis) - A prolapse, a falling down type of displacement movement, of the kidney; usually when the person changes from supine to erect posture; it may put a kink into the ureter, possibly leading to obstruction.

pyelonephritis = pyelitis - Inflammation of the kidney and, especially, its pelvis, caused by bacterial infection; if untreated, it will extend to involve the entire kidney; most often, the pathogen has ascended the urinary tract rather than having been blood born; symtoms include pain and tenderness in the loins, bladder irritability, fever, bloody or purulent urine, diarrhea and vomiting.

glomerulonephritis - A group of disorders characterized by inflammation of the renal glomeruli; common symptoms include edema, decreased urine production, and blood and protein in the urine; it occurs in acute, subacute and chronic forms and may be due to a variety of causes, e.g., infection with hemolytic streptococci, and various immune and autoimmune disorders.  [Also see:  Rapidly progressive (crescentic) glomerulonephritis.]

nephrotic syndrome - The term for a suite of symptoms which develop as many forms of kidney disease progress toward true renal failure; the cortex of the kidney is always involved and inflamed at this point; common symptoms include edema with weight gain, high blood pressure, anorexia, low serum albumin due to urinary loss, decreased urine production, and blood and significant amounts of protein in the urine; other non-diseases which may progress to nephrotic syndrome include diabetes mellitus, hereditary diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple myeloma.  [Also see NS in Children.]

renal failure - The characteristic end stage situation for all progressive diseases involving the kidneys in which the kidneys become unable to excrete wastes and to help maintain water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance; Urine production is minimal and the small amount of urine produced is dark, bloody and protein rich; it occurs in acute and chronic forms and may be due to a wide variety of causes; if the underlying cause is not resolved, death follows.

polycystic kidney disease - An irreversible progressive disease characterized by the formation of multiple cysts (closed cavities lined by epithelium which usually contain urine) of variable size scattered diffusely through both kidneys, resulting in compression and destruction of the renal parenchyma; symptoms include high blood pressure, significant blood in the urine, and uremia (the retention of urinary wastes in the blood); two genetic disorders are the most probably causes, one with early onset in infancy or early childhood, the other with adult onset.

diabetes insipidus - A chronic metabolic disorder characterized by intense thirst, the production of a large volume, low specific gravity, i.e., dilute, urine, which is otherwise normal, and excessive urination, caused by a deficiency of the anterior pituitary hormone ADH = vasopressin; it is effectively treated by hormone replacement therapy.

urethritis - Any inflammation of the urethra, often due to a urinary tract infection and usually characterized by difficult and painful urination and various changes in the character of the urine.  [See also Urethritis UMM and  Urethritis in Males.]

cystitis - Inflammation of the urinary bladder (and ureters) characterized by pain, increased frequency and difficulty in urinating.  [ See also UTIs in Adults and  Interstitial Cystitis.]

 

Urinary System Disorder	Cause	Principle Part of the Urinary System Affected
renal calculi = kidney stones	the precipitation of materials, usually calcium salts, in the urine drainage system due to reduced flow, highly concentrated urine as a result of hereditary disposition to stone formation, urinary tract infections, cystic kidney diseases, renal tubular acidosis, hyperparathyroidism, and certain metabolic disorders	renal calyces and pelvis
ptosis (= nephroptosis)	a prolapse, a falling down type of displacement movement	kidney
pyelonephritis = pyelitis	inflammation usually caused by bacterial infection	kidney, especially the pelvis
glomerulonephritis	inflammation from various causes, e.g., infection with hemolytic streptococci, and various immune and autoimmune disorders	glomeruli in the renal cortex
nephrotic syndrome	severe inflammation from various causes	glomeruli in the renal cortex
renal failure	extreme inflammation from various causes with possible tissue necrosis	glomeruli in the renal cortex
polycystic kidney disease	genetic defects	renal tubules and collecting ducts
diabetes insipidus	hypothalamic or pituitary problems leading to reduced/absent ADH = antidiuretic hormone = vasopressin	ability of the kidney to concentrate urine
urethritis	inflammation usually caused by bacterial infection	urethra
cystitis	inflammation usually caused by bacterial infection	urinary bladder