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Urinary
Learn the roles of the kidneys, including their ability to manage blood pressure and filter for homeostasis, as well as some of the pathologies associated with the renal system.
Click a title to view the article on the topic and its associated quiz!
1. Anatomy of the Kidneys, Bladder and Urethra
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2. Development of the Urinary System
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3. The Nephron
- Understand the role of the nephron within the kidney
- Be aware of the anatomical segments of the nephron and each of their basic functions within the filtering process of the kidney
4. The Glomerulus – Tubular Reabsorption and Secretion
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- Understand the components of extracellular fluid and their effect on plasma concentrations and diffusion
- Understand some of the mechanisms by which the kidneys help to regulate blood pressure
- Be aware of the transporters within each section of the kidney nephron and their roles within homeostasis
- Be aware of how these transporters can be targeted by drugs such as diuretics and how these can be used therapeutically
6. Control of Plasma Osmolarity
- Understand how the body controls plasma osmolarity
- Understand the role of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and ADH in the control of plasma osmolarity
- Understand the effect of ADH on the collecting ducts of the kidney
- Understand the medullary counter-current mechanism for sensitively controlling the reabsorption of water
- Understand some of the things that can go wrong with controlling plasma osmolarity
- Understand potassium’s essential cellular roles: volume, pH, enzymes, excitability, cardiac function.
- Explain internal balance: rapid shifts of K⁺ between intracellular and extracellular compartments.
- Describe external (renal) balance: long-term potassium control via nephron reabsorption and secretion.
- Identify factors influencing cellular K⁺ uptake: insulin, aldosterone, catecholamines, acid–base status.
- Outline mechanisms regulating renal K⁺ secretion in distal nephron regions.
Recognise clinical features and management strategies of hypo‑ and hyperkalaemia.
8. Micturition
- Understand the phases of micturition (urination)
- Understand the neural mechanisms that regulate these phases
- Understand some of the pathophysiology that can affect micturition and why certain neurological conditions can present with urinary symptoms
9. Diuretics
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10. Glomerular Filtration Rate and the Measurement of Kidney Function
- Understand what a Glomerular Filtratation Rate (GFR) is
- Understand how this can be calculated for patients and its relevance
- Understand the prupose of urinalysis
- Be aware of urodynamic studies and what they involve
11. Hyponatraemia
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- Define urinary incontinence and distinguish types (stress, urge, mixed).
- Identify key risk factors contributing to urinary incontinence.
- Understand pathophysiology behind stress and urge incontinence.
- Describe conservative management strategies (lifestyle, pelvic floor exercises).
- Explain when and why surgical or pharmacological treatments are appropriate.
- Define glomerular disease and differentiate nephritic versus nephrotic syndromes.
- Recognise underlying pathophysiology of key glomerulopathies (e.g., IgA nephropathy, Goodpasture’s).
- Describe major clinical features: haematuria, proteinuria, oedema, hypertension.
- Explain diagnostic approach: urine tests, renal biopsy, serology and complement levels.
- Understand basic management principles including immunosuppression and supportive care strategies.
- Understand the pathophysiology of Diabetic Nephropathy
- Understand how Diabetes can cause a nephrotic syndrome
- Be aware of the signs and symptoms of Diabetic Nephropathy
- Know the risk factors for developing Diabetic Nephropathy as a Diabetic
- Define AKI and identify prerenal, intrinsic, and postrenal categories.
- Recognise key risk factors and early clinical indicators of AKI.
- Use KDIGO/RIFLE criteria to diagnose and stage AKI.
- Interpret lab findings—including serum creatinine, urine output, FeNa—for AKI assessment.
- Apply a structured differential diagnosis and diagnostic approach (urine, imaging, biopsy).
- Understand management principles: treat cause, fluid balance, nephrotoxins, and renal replacement therapy.
16. Chronic Kidney Disease
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- Understand the causes of urinary tract obstruction
- Be aware of specific conditions and their pathophysiology that can cause urinary tract obstruction
- Understand the different types of urinary retention and their presentations
- Be aware of the complications of urinary retention and the surrounding syndromes
18. Urinary Tract Infections
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- Understand prostate zones and their relevance to disease localisation.
- Recognise histological differences between benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate adenocarcinoma.
- Describe Gleason grading and its prognostic implications for prostate cancer.
- Identify prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) as a premalignant lesion.
- Appreciate inflammation types like granulomatous prostatitis and their cancer mimicry.
20. Male Urological Conditions
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21. Urological Malignancy
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The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is intended for medical education, specifically to biological/medical learning inclined individuals, and does not create any doctor-patient relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.