Kidney Diseases Dictionary: L-P
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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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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.
 d
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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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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oxalate (AHK-suh-late):
A chemical that combines with calcium in urine
to form the most common type of kidney stone (calcium
oxalate stone).
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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.
percutaneous (PER-kyoo-TAY-nee-us)
nephrolithotomy (NEF-roh-lih-THAH-tuh-mee):
A method for removing kidney stones via keyhole surgery
through the back.
peritoneal dialysis:
See dialysis.
polycystic (PAHL-ee-SIS-tik) kidney disease
(PKD):
An inherited disorder characterized by many grape-like clusters of
fluid-filled cysts that make both kidneys larger over
time. These cysts take over and destroy working kidney tissue. PKD may
cause chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal
disease.
proteinuria (PRO-tee-NOOR-ee-uh):
A condition in which the urine contains large amounts
of protein, a sign that the kidneys are not functioning
properly.
pyelonephritis (PY-loh-nef-RY-tis):
An infection of the kidneys, usually caused by a germ
that has traveled up through the urethra, bladder,
and ureters from outside the body.
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