renal tubular

DEFINITION:

Pertaining to the tubules of the kidneys. See specific entries under tubule .

reabsorption

DEFINITION:

The act or process of absorbing again, as the selective absorption by the kidneys of substances (glucose, proteins, sodium, etc.) already secreted into the renal tubules, and their return to the circulating blood.

organic

DEFINITION:

1. Pertaining to or arising from a body organ or the organs.
2. Having an organized structure.
3. Arising from an organism.
4. Pertaining to substances derived from living organisms.
5. Denoting chemical substances containing carbon.
6. Pertaining to or cultivated by the use of animal or vegetable fertilizers, rather than synthetic chemicals.

solute

DEFINITION:

A dissolved substance.

renal

DEFINITION:

Pertaining to the kidney.

glucose

DEFINITION:

1. A sugar C₆H₁₂O₆ known in dextrorotatory, levorotatory, and racemic forms; esp.: the sweet colorless soluble dextrorotatory form that occurs widely in nature and is the usual form in which carbohydrate is assimilated by animals.

2. A light-colored syrup made from cornstarch.

phosphate

DEFINITION:

1. Any salt of phosphoric acid or its anions, particularly referring to orthophosphate (inorganic phosphate).
2. Any ester of phosphoric acid or of one of its salts or anions; an organic phosphate.

ions

DEFINITION:

Atoms or radicals having a charge of positive (cation) or negative (anion) electricity owing to the loss of gain of one or more electrons. Substances that form ions are called electrolytes.

organic

DEFINITION:

1. Pertaining to or arising from a body organ or the organs.
2. Having an organized structure.
3. Arising from an organism.
4. Pertaining to substances derived from living organisms.
5. Denoting chemical substances containing carbon.
6. Pertaining to or cultivated by the use of animal or vegetable fertilizers, rather than synthetic chemicals.

vasopressin

DEFINITION:

1. One of two octapeptide hormones formed by the neuronal cells of the hypothalamic nuclei and stored in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland (neurohypophysis), the other being oxytocin. It stimulates the contraction of the muscular tissue of the capillaries and arterioles, raising the blood pressure. It promotes contraction of the intestinal musculature and increases peristalsis, and also exerts some contractile influence on the uterus. It also has a specific effect on the epithelial cells of the distal portion of the uriniferous tubule, augmenting resorption of water independently of solutes, resulting in concentration of urine and dilution of blood serum. Its rate of secretion is regulated chiefly by the osmolarity of the plasma.

2. [USP], A pharmaceutical preparation of the same principle, prepared synthetically or obtained from the posterior pituitary of healthy domestic animals used for food by man; used mainly as an antidiuretic in the treatment of acute or chronic diabetes insipidus, administered intramuscularly as a test of hypothalamo-neurohypophysial-renal function in distinguishing central from nephrogenic diabetes insipidus; it may also be used to stimulate smooth muscle tissue, especially to induce vasoconstriction in the presence of hemorrhage. Called also antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

parathyroid hormone

DEFINITION:

A polypeptide hormone (84 amino acid residues) secreted by the parathyroid glands. It promotes release of calcium from bone to extracellular fluid by activating osteoclasts and inhibiting osteoblasts, indirectly promotes increased intestinal absorption of calcium, promotes renal tubular reabsorption of calcium and increased renal excretion of phosphates, and is a major regulator of bone metabolism. Secretion of parathyroid hormone increases when the level of calcium in the extracellular fluid is low. Its action is opposed by that of calcitonin. Called also parathormone and parathyrin .

congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

DEFINITION:

A condition involving the kidneys (see nephrogenic diabetes insipidus) which exists at, and usually before, birth. Congenital refers to conditions that are present at birth, regardless of their causation.

urinary

DEFINITION:

Pertaining to the urine; containing or secreting urine.

familial

DEFINITION:

Occurring in or affecting more members of a family than would be expected by chance.

glucosuria

DEFINITION:

Glycosuria.

disorders

DEFINITION:

Derangements or abnormalities of function; morbid physical or mental states.

failure to thrive

DEFINITION:

Lack of expected growth in an infant, usually assessed by comparing the rate at which a baby gains weight with a standardized growth chart. Babies who fail to thrive are not growing enough in relation to birth weight.The undernourishment may be due to some problem at home, often an unsatisfactory relationship between parent and child. In some cases, the child is actually neglected. Deprived children often have delayed emotional and intellectual development as well as failure to thrive.

If a baby fails to gain weight despite receiving an adequate diet and having a stable family background, other conditions may be responsible. Failure to thrive can indicate a serious problem, such as congenital heart disease, renal failure, or malabsorption.

A baby who fails to thrive is often observed (along with a parent) for a week or two to see how the parent feeds and handles the baby. The baby's diet and weight are carefully monitored. If there are social problems, support for the family can be initiated.

physiological

DEFINITION:

1. Of or pertaining to physiology.
2. Characteristic of or appropriate to an organism's healthy or normal functioning.
3. Differing in, involving, or affecting physiological factors.

candidate

DEFINITION:

1. One who seeks or is proposed for an office, honor, or membership.

2. One who seems deserving of or seems destined for a certain end or fate.

3. A student studying for a degree.

genes

DEFINITION:

In the singular: A segment of a DNA molecule that contains all the information required for synthesis of a product (polypeptide chain or RNA molecule), including both coding and non-coding sequences. It is the biological unit of heredity, self-reproducing, and transmitted from parent to progeny. Each gene has a specific position (locus) on the chromosome map. From the standpoint of function, genes are conceived of as structural, operator, and regulatory genes.

wild-type gene - The normal allele of a gene, sometimes symbolized by +.

X-linked gene - A gene carried on the X chromosome; the corresponding trait, whether dominant or recessive, is always expressed in males, who have only one X chromosome. X linkage is used sometimes synonymously with sex linkage since no genetic disorders have as yet been associated with genes on the Y chromosome.

molecular

DEFINITION:

Of, pertaining to, or composed of molecules.

disorders

DEFINITION:

Derangements or abnormalities of function; morbid physical or mental states.