| kidney medulla | The internal portion of the kidney, consisting of striated conical masses, the renal pyramids, whose bases are adjacent to the cortex and whose apices form prominent papillae projecting into the lumen of the minor calyces. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| kidney neoplasms | Neoplasms or tumours of the kidney. Renal cell carcinoma is the most common neoplastic lesion of the kidney, accounting for approximately 85% of all kidney neoplasms. The vast majority of these tumours are adenocarcinoma. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney papillary necrosis | A form of acute kidney disease characterised by necrosis of the renal papillae. It is most frequently associated with diabetes mellitus because of the severe vascular disease present in the arteries and capillaries, particularly in the kidney. There is usually a large component of infection present, and in non-diabetics pyelonephritis and obstructive uropathy are the usual aetiologic agents. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney pelvis | The expansion from the upper end of the ureter into which the calices of the kidney (kidney calices) open. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney plasminogen activator | <protein> A precursor to the enzyme urokinase that has blood clotting properties. (14 Nov 1997) |
| kidney, polycystic | Kidney whose tissue is displaced by a large number of tightly packed cysts so that cystic volume predominates over the solid parts to a considerable degree. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney, polycystic, autosomal dominant | A genetic disorder with autosomal dominant inheritance characterised by multiple cysts in both kidneys and progressive deterioration of renal function. It is usually caused by a mutant gene at the pkd1 locus on the short arm of chromosome 16, though mutations elsewhere in the genome can also cause the disease. The age of onset of symptoms varies widely. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney, polycystic, autosomal recessive | Rare genetic disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance characterised by multiple cysts in both kidneys and associated hepatic lesions. Serious manifestations are usually present at birth and there is high perinatal mortality. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney profile | <investigation> A test which includes the measurement of the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and the creatinine in a venous specimen. This test allows the physician to make a determination of how effectively the kidneys are functioning. (27 Sep 1997) |
| kidney-shaped | Having the form or shape of a kidney; reniform; as, a kidney-shaped leaf. (01 Mar 1998) |
| kidney, sponge | Cystic disease of the medullary portion of the renal pyramids; asymptomatic unless complicated by infection, calculi, or obstruction; should be distinguished from congenital polycystic disease of the kidneys. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney stone | <nephrology, urology> The presence of calculi in the kidney or collecting system. The calculi are usually small (2-12mm) solid, crystalline, concretions that develop in the kidney and eventually pass through the genitourinary tract. Stones may be composed of calcium, phosphate or uric acid. (27 Sep 1997) |
| kidney transplantation | The transference of a kidney from one human or animal to another. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney tubular necrosis, acute | Acute kidney failure resulting from destruction of tubular epithelial cells. It is commonly attributed to exposure to toxic agents or renal ischemia following severe trauma. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kidney tubules, collecting | Straight tubes commencing in the radiate part of the kidney cortex where they receive the curved ends of the distal convoluted tubules. In the medulla the collecting tubules of each pyramid converge to join a central tube (duct of bellini) which opens on the summit of the papilla. (12 Dec 1998) |