Kidney Diseases Dictionary: K-O
Kidney Diseases Dictionary Index
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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.
Dialyzer Membrane
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).
Kidney Diseases Dictionary Index
A B
C D
E F
G H
I K
L
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