Common Word Roots for Urinary System

albumin/o is a combining form that refers to albumin. A protein produced by the liver is albumin. Using a serum albumin test, you can determine how much of this protein is present in the liquid part of the blood. Urine also contains albumin.

azot/o is a combining form that refers to urea or nitrogen. The majority of human urine consists of urea, which is a waste product of various types of living organisms. It happens at the end of the process of breaking down amino acids into proteins.

calic/o or cali/o is a combining form that refers to calyx (plural: calyces). Calyces are kidney compartments that accumulate fluid before it flows into the bladder. During this process, excess fluids and wastes are also turned into urine.

Cyst/o or vesic/o are combining forms used to describe the urinary bladder. A urinary bladder is a hollow organ in humans that temporarily holds urine from the kidneys before it's expelled.

Glomerul/o is a combining form used to describe the glomerulus (plural: glomeruli). Excess fluids and waste are eliminated from the body by the kidneys. In the kidneys, blood is filtered by nephrons. Each nephron contains small blood vessels called glomeruli, which are encased in a sac called Bowman's capsule.

The combining form hydr/o refers to water. A water molecule has the chemical formula H2O and is colorless, odorless, and transparent.

lith/o is a combining form that pertains to stone or calculus. Kidney stones are tiny, rock-like substances made from substances in your urine. The kidneys produce them when excessive amounts of minerals or salts pass into the urine. Despite the fact that kidney stones seldom cause significant harm, they can be quite painful.

meat/o is a combining form that pertains to meatus. Urinary meatus is the opening of the urethra. In both males and females, it is the site where urine exits the urethra, as well as the site where semen exits the urethra in males.

pyel/o is a combining form that pertains to renal pelvis. In the kidney, the renal pelvis is located in the center. Urine gathers here and is directed into the ureter (the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder).

ren/o or nephr/o is a combining form that refers to kidney. Located below the rib cage, each side of the spine, the kidneys are bean-like organs about the size of a fist. The kidneys filter blood. Wastes are eliminated from the kidney, fluid balance is maintained, and electrolytes are maintained.

ur/o or urin/o is a combining form that refers to urine or urinary tract. You eliminate urine through the urinary tract, which is your body's waste removal system. Wastes and water make up urine. Your kidneys, ureters, and bladder make up the urinary tract. The urinary tract needs to work as a unit in order to urinate properly.

ureter/o is a combining form that refers to ureter. The ureters are tubes made of muscles that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

urethr/o is a combining form that refers to urethra. A urethra is a tube that drains urine from the bladder while exiting the body.