K
kidney (KID-nee):
One of the two bean-shaped
organs that filter wastes from the blood. The kidneys
are located near the middle of the back. They create
urine, which is delivered to the
bladder through tubes called
ureters.
kidney failure:
Loss of kidney
function. (See also end-stage renal
disease, acute renal failure,
and chronic kidney
disease.)
kidney stone:
A stone that develops from
crystals that form in urine and build up
on the inner surfaces of the kidney, in
the renal pelvis, or in the
ureters.
Kt/V (kay-tee over
vee):
A measurement of
dialysis dose. The measurement takes
into account the efficiency of the
dialyzer, the treatment time, and the
total volume of urea in the body. See
also URR.
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L
lithotripsy
(LITH-oh-TRIP-see):
A method of breaking up
kidney stones using shock waves or other
means.
lupus (LOO-pus)
nephritis (nef-RY-tis):
Inflammation of the
kidneys caused by an autoimmune
disease called systemic lupus erythematosus
(eh-rih-theh-mah-TOH-sis). The condition can cause
hematuria and proteinuria,
and it may progress to end-stage renal
disease.
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M
membrane (MEM-brane):
A thin sheet or layer of tissue
that lines a cavity or separates two parts of the
body. A membrane can act as a filter, allowing some
particles to pass from one part of the body to another
while keeping others where they are. The membrane in a
dialyzer filters waste products from the
blood.
membranoproliferative
(MEM-bray-no-pro-LIF-er-uh-tiv)
glomerulonephritis
(gloh-MEHR-yoo-loh-nef-RY-tis):
A disease that occurs primarily
in children and young adults. Over time, inflammation
leads to scarring in the glomeruli,
causing proteinuria,
hematuria, and sometimes chronic
kidney disease or end-stage renal
disease.
membranous nephropathy
(neh-FROP-uh-thee):
A disorder that hinders the
kidneys' ability to filter wastes from
the blood because of harmful deposits on the
glomerular membrane. Some cases of membranous
nephropathy develop after an autoimmune
disease or malignancy, but most develop
without a known cause.
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N
nephrectomy
(nef-REK-tuh-mee):
Surgical removal of a
kidney.
nephrogenic
(NEF-roh-JEN-ik) diabetes (DY-uh-BEE-teez)
insipidus (in-SIP-ih-dus):
Constant thirst and frequent
urination because the kidney tubules
cannot respond to antidiuretic hormone.
The result is an increase in urine
formation and excessive urine flow.
nephrolithiasis
(NEF-roh-lih-THY-uh-sis):
See kidney stones.
nephrologist
(nef-RAHL-oh-jist):
A doctor who treats patients
with kidney problems or
hypertension.
nephron (NEF-rahn):
A tiny part of the
kidneys. Each kidney is made up of about 1
million nephrons, which are the working units of the
kidneys, removing wastes and extra fluids from the
blood.
nephropathy
(neh-FROP-uh-thee):
Any disease of the
kidney.
nephrotic (nef-RAH-tik)
syndrome:
A collection of symptoms that
indicate kidney damage. Symptoms include
high levels of protein in the urine,
lack of protein in the blood, and high blood
cholesterol.
nuclear (NEW-klee-ur)
scan:
A test of the structure, blood
flow, and function of the kidneys. The
doctor injects a mildly radioactive solution into an
arm vein and uses x rays to monitor its progress
through the kidneys.
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O
oxalate
(AHK-suh-late):
A chemical that combines with
calcium in urine to form
the most common type of kidney stone
(calcium oxalate stone). pelvis (PELL-vis):
The bowl-shaped bone that
supports the spine and holds up the digestive,
urinary, and reproductive organs. The legs connect to
the body at the pelvis.
