A
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| Access: | In dialysis, the point on the body where a needle or catheter is inserted. (See also Arteriovenous fistula, Graft, and Vascular access.)
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| Access surgery: | Surgery to create a vascular access for hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD).
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| ACE inhibitors: | (See Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors [ACE] inhibitors.)
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| Acute renal (REE-nul) failure: | Sudden and temporary loss of kidney function caused by injury or an illness and is often reversible.
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| Allograft (AL-oh-graft): | An organ or tissue transplant from one human to another.
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| Amyloidosis (AM-e-loy-DOH-sis): | A condition in which a protein-like material builds up in one or more organs. This material cannot be broken down and interferes with the normal function of that organ. Chronic dialysis patients often develop amyloidosis because the artificial membranes used in dialysis treatments fail to filter the protein-like material out of the blood.
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| Anemia (ah-NEE-me-uh): | The condition of having too few red blood cells (RBCs). Healthy RBCs carry oxygen throughout the body. If the blood is low on RBCs, the body does not get enough oxygen. Those with anemia may be tired and pale and may feel their heartbeat change. Anemia is common in people with chronic kidney disease or those on dialysis. (See also Erythropoietin.)
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Angiotensin (an-gee-oh-TEN-sin) converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors:
| A medication that reduces blood pressure and improves heart function. |
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs):
| A drug similar to ACE inhibitors for reducing blood pressure and improving heart function. |
| Antigen (AN-tah-gin): | A protein located on the surface of body cells.
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| Anti-rejection therapy: | (See Immunosuppressant.)
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| Anuria (an-URE-ee-uh): | A condition in which a person stops making urine.
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| Arterial (ar-TEER-ee-ul) line: | In hemodialysis (see dialysis), the tubing that takes blood from the body to the dialyzer.
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Arteriovenous (ar-TEER-ee-oh-VEE-nus) (AV) fistula (FIST-you-lah):
| Surgical connection of an artery directly to a vein, usually in the forearm, created in patients who will need hemodialysis (HD) (see Dialysis). The AV fistula causes the vein to grow thicker, allowing the repeated needle insertions required for HD. |
| Artery (ARE-ter-ee): | A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the body. (See also Vein.)
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| Artificial kidney: | Another name for a dialyzer. (See Dialyzer.)
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Autoimmune (AW-toh-ih-MUNE) disease:
| A condition that occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the body itself. |
Automated peritoneal dialysis:
| (See Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis under Dialysis below).
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B
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| Biopsy (BY-op-see): | A procedure in which a tiny piece of a body part, such as the kidney, is removed for examination under a microscope.
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| Bladder: | The balloon-shaped organ inside the pelvis that holds urine before it is voided from the body.
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Bladder outflow obstruction:
| A condition blocking the flow of urine from the bladder such as an enlarged prostate gland. |
| Blood cells: | Microscopic cells constituting the solid part of the blood. The three main types of blood cells are red, white, and platelets.
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| Blood groups: | A classification system based on the hereditary characteristics of the blood, including whether or not someone has certain antigens on the surface of their cells. The four main blood groups are: A, B, AB, and O.
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Blood urea (you-REE-uh) nitrogen (NY-tro-jen) (BUN):
| A waste product in the blood that comes from the breakdown of food protein. The kidneys filter blood to remove urea. As kidney function decreases, the BUN level increases.
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C
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| Cadaver (cah-DAH-vur): | A dead body. (See Cadaveric donor)
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| Cadaveric donor (kad-ah-VARE-ic): | A person who has just died and has requested that his/her organs and/or tissues be used for transplantation.
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| Calcification (cal-suh-fah-KAY-shun): | A condition in which calcium is deposited in tissue. In kidney disease, it could result from the failure of the kidney to regulate calcium levels. Vascular calcification, a condition in which blood vessels become damaged, is a contributor to cardiovascular disease.
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Calcium (KAL-see-um):
| A mineral salt that strengthens the bones.
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Cardiovascular (car-dee-o-VAS-qu-ler):
| Relating to the heart and blood vessels. |
| Catheter (KATH-eh-ter): | A hollow tube inserted through the skin into a blood vessel or cavity to carry fluids into (infuse) and out of the body. In peritoneal dialysis (see Dialysis), a catheter is used to infuse dialysis solution into the abdominal cavity and drain it out again.
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| Chronic kidney disease: | Slow, progressive loss of kidney function over several years or longer, often resulting in permanent kidney failure. People with permanent kidney failure need dialysis or transplantation (see Transplant) to replace the work of the kidneys.
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Chronic renal (REE-nul) failure:
| (See Chronic kidney disease.) |
| Creatinine (kree-AT-ih-neen): | A waste product from meat protein in the diet and the muscles of the body that is removed from blood by the kidneys. As kidney disease progresses, the creatinine level in the blood increases.
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| Creatinine clearance: | A test measuring how efficiently the kidneys remove creatinine and other wastes from the blood. Low creatinine clearance indicates impaired kidney function.
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| Cross-matching: | Before a transplant, the donor’s blood is tested with the recipient’s blood to see if they are compatible.
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| Cyst (sist): | An abnormal sac that contains fluid, gas, or a semi-solid material. Cysts may form in kidneys or other parts of the body. (See Polycystic kidney disease [PKD].)
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D
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| Diabetes (dy-uh-BEE-tus) mellitus (MELL-i-tus): | A condition characterized by high blood glucose (sugar) resulting from the body’s inability to use glucose efficiently. Insulin normally helps the body’s cells use glucose. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body is resistant to the effects of available insulin. Diabetes mellitus has long been the number one cause of kidney disease and renal failure.
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Diabetic nephropathy (neff-RA-puh-thee):
| Damage to the kidneys caused by diabetes mellitus. |
| Dialysate (die-AL-uh-sate): | A special liquid into which the body’s waste products and excess fluid are passed during dialysis treatments.
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| Dialysis (die-AL-uh-sis): | The process of cleaning wastes from the blood artificially. This job is normally done by the kidneys. If the kidneys fail, the blood must be cleaned artificially with special equipment. The two major forms of dialysis are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
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- Hemodialysis (HEE-moh-die-AL-uh-sis):
| The use of a machine to clean wastes from the blood after the kidneys have failed. The blood travels through tubes to a dialyzer, which removes wastes and extra fluid. The cleaned blood then flows through another set of tubes back into the body. (See illustration below.)
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- Peritoneal (pear-uh-tuh-NEE-ul) dialysis:
| Cleaning the blood by using the lining of the abdominal cavity as a filter. A cleansing liquid, called dialysis solution, is drained from a bag into the abdomen. Fluids and wastes flow through the lining of the cavity and remain “trapped” in the dialysis solution. The solution is then drained from the abdomen, removing the extra fluids and wastes from the body. There are two main types of peritoneal dialysis:
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- Continuous ambulatory (AM-bu-luh-TOH-ree) peritoneal dialysis (CAPD):
| The most common type of PD. It needs no machine. With CAPD, the blood is always being cleaned. The dialysis solution passes from a plastic bag through the catheter and into the abdomen. The solution stays in the abdomen with the catheter sealed. After several hours, the patient drains the solution back into a disposable bag. Then he/she refills the abdomen with fresh solution through the same catheter to begin the cleaning process again.
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- Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD):
| A form of PD that uses a machine to automatically fill and drain the dialysis solution from the abdomen. A typical CCPD schedule involves 3-5 exchanges during the night while the person sleeps. During the day, the patient performs one exchange with a dwell time that lasts the entire day.
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| Dialysis access: | (See Vascular access.)
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| Dialysis solution: | A cleansing liquid used in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Dialysis solution contains dextrose (a sugar) and other chemicals similar to those in the body. Dextrose draws wastes and extra fluid from the body into the dialysis solution.
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| | Structure of a typical hollow fiber dialyzer.
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| Dialyzer (DIE-uh-LIE-zur): | A part of the hemodialysis machine. (See Dialysis and the illustration above.) The dialyzer has two sections separated by a membrane. One section holds dialysis solution. The other holds the patient’s blood.
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| Donor (DOE-nur): | Someone who offers blood, tissue, or an organ for transplantation. (See Transplant.) In kidney transplantation, the donor may be someone who has just died or someone who is still alive, usually a relative.
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| Dry weight: | The ideal weight for a person after a hemodialysis treatment. The weight at which the blood pressure is normal and no swelling exists because all excess fluid has been removed.
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| Dwell time: | In peritoneal dialysis (see Dialysis), the amount of time a bag of dialysis solution remains in the patient’s abdominal cavity during an exchange.
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E
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| Edema (eh-DEE-muh): | Swelling caused by too much fluid in the body.
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| Electrolytes (ee-LEK-troh-lites): | Chemicals in the body fluids that result from the breakdown of salts, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride. The kidneys control the amount of electrolytes in the body. When the kidneys fail, electrolytes get out of balance, causing potentially serious health problems. Dialysis can correct this problem.
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End-Stage Renal (REE-nul) Disease (ESRD):
| Total and permanent kidney failure. When the kidneys fail, the body retains fluid and harmful wastes build up. A person with ESRD needs treatment to replace the work of the failed kidneys. |
Epoetin (E-poh-ah-tin):
| A medication used to treat anemia caused by erythropoietin deficiency associated with kidney failure.
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Erythropoietin (eh-RITH-roh-POY-uh-tin):
| A hormone made by the kidneys to help form red blood cells. Lack of this hormone may lead to anemia. |
| Exchange: | In peritoneal dialysis (see Dialysis), the draining of used dialysis solution from the abdomen, followed by refilling with a fresh bag of solution.
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F
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| Fistula (FIST-you-lah): | (See Arteriovenous fistula.)
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| Fluid exchange: | (See Exchange.)
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| Fluid overload: | Too much water in the body corrected by hemodialysis treatments.
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G
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| Glomerular (gla-MEHR-you-ler) filtration rate (GFR): | Rate at which the glomeruli in the kidneys excrete excess fluid and waste products, reflecting the percentage of the remaining normal filtration function. The method for calculating the estimated GFR factor in such things as the age of the patient, body mass, and ethnic origin.
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| Glomerulonephritis (gla-MEHR-you-lo-nef-RYE-tis): | Inflammation and damage to the glomeruli leading to high blood pressure and progressive loss of kidney function in some cases. The condition is most often caused by an autoimmune disease, but it can also result from an infection. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as steroids may be used to reduce kidney damage.
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| Glomerulus: | 
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| Glomerulosclerosis (gla-MEHR-you-lo-skler-O-sis): | Scarring of the glomeruli. It may result from diabetes mellitus (diabetic glomerulosclerosis) or from deposits in parts of the glomeruli (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis). The most common signs of glomerulosclerosis are proteinuria and kidney failure.
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Glomerulus (gla-MEHR-you-lus):
| A tiny set of looping blood vessels in the nephron where blood is filtered in the kidney. |
Glucose (GLUE-kos):
| A type of sugar that is also the main ingredient in peritoneal dialysis fluid. |
| Graft: | In hemodialysis (see Dialysis), a vascular access surgically created using a synthetic tube to connect an artery to a vein. In transplantation (see Transplant), a graft is the transplanted organ or tissue.
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H
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| Heartbeating donor: | Someone who has died while on a ventilator in a critical care unit. Circulation of the blood is maintained until organs are taken for transplantation.
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| Hematocrit (hee-MAT-o-krit): | A measure that tells what portion of a blood sample consists of red blood cells. Low hematocrit suggests anemia or massive blood loss.
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Hematuria (hee-muh-TOUR-e-uh):
| A condition in which urine contains blood or red blood cells. |
| Hemodialfiltration (hee-mo-diah-fill-TRAY-shun): | A treatment for purifying the blood utilizing aspects of hemodialysis (see the Hemodialysis section under Dialysis) and hemofiltration (see Hemofiltration).
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Hemodialysis:
| (See Dialysis.) |
| Hemofiltration (hee-mo-fill-TRAY-shun): | An alternative treatment to hemodialysis in which excess fluid and waste products are removed from the body by convection (carrying or transmitting) rather than diffusion, and some balanced physiological fluid is replaced.
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Hemoglobulin (HEE-mo-GLA-bu-lin):
| A red blood cell molecule binding oxygen and carrying it around the body. (See Anemia.) |
Hemolytic (HEE-mo-LIT-ick) uremic (u-REE-mick) syndrome (HUS):
| Red blood cell fragmentation, blood clots, and damage to the lining of small blood vessels with associated damage to other organs, including the kidneys. |
High blood pressure:
| (See Hypertension.) |
| Hormone: | A natural chemical produced in one part of the body and released into the blood to stimulate particular functions of the body. The kidney releases three hormones: erythropoietin, renin, and an active form of vitamin D that helps regulate calcium for bones.
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| Hyperparathyroidism (HI-per-parah-THIGH-roid-ism): | Continuous excessive production of parathyroid hormone (PTH). This condition can be a result of chronic kidney disease when the blood calcium level falls below normal, and PTH is produced to restore it by drawing calcium from the bones. (See also Parathyroid glands.)
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| Hypertension (hi-per-TEN-shun): | Persistent high blood pressure, which can be caused either by too much fluid in the blood vessels or by narrowing of the blood vessels. Hypertension is the second leading cause of kidney disease and renal failure.
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I
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| Ideal body weight: | The weight individuals should reach and maintain based on age, sex, and height. Some dialysis patients are malnourished and weigh less than their ideal body weight. (See Malnutrition.)
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Immune (ih-MUNE) system:
| The body’s way of protecting itself from viruses and bacteria or any “foreign” substances. |
| Immunosuppressant (ih-MUNE-oh-suh-PRESS-unt): | A drug to suppress the natural responses of the body’s immune system. Immunosuppressants are given to transplant patients to prevent organ rejection and to patients with autoimmune diseases like lupus.
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| Inflammation (IN-flah-MAY-shun): | Swelling, redness, heat, and/or pain produced in an area of the body that has become irritated, injured, or has an infection.
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| Interstitial (IN-ter-STISH-ial) nephritis (nef-RYE-tus): | Inflammation of the kidney cells that are not part of the fluid-collecting units. It is a condition that can lead to acute renal failure or chronic kidney disease.
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Intravenous (IN-tra-VEE-nus) catheter:
| A catheter that is inserted into a vein. |
| Ischemia (is-KEE-mee-ah) time: | Warm ischemia time is that period between the kidney donor’s cardiac arrest and perfusion of the kidney with a solution at 4 degrees centigrade. Cold ischemia time is the period between cooling of the organ on removal from the donor and insertion into the recipient.
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K
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| Kidney: | One of two bean-shaped organs on each side of the abdomen near the middle of the back that filters wastes from the blood. They create urine, which is delivered to the bladder through tubes called ureters.
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| Kidney failure: | Loss of kidney function. (See also Acute renal failure, Chronic kidney disease, and End-Stage Renal Disease.)
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| Kidney transplantation: | An operation placing a healthy kidney from someone just deceased or a living person into a recipient’s body. (See Transplant.)
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| Kt/V (kay-tee-over-vee): | A measurement of effective or adequate 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 Urea reduction ratio [URR].)
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L
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| Lipid: | A group of fats and fat-like compounds in living organisms. They are largely insoluble in water.
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| Living donor: | A person who donates a kidney or parts of other specific organs while they are alive. Only one kidney is enough to sustain life and health, and one can be donated for transplantation.
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| Lupus (LOO-pus): | A disease of the skin and mucous membranes causing disfiguring lesions. Lupus is one cause of kidney disease.
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M
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| Malnutrition (mal-new-TRISH-shun): | Loss of body weight due to not eating enough foods containing energy and protein and certain diseases such as cancer. Some dialysis patients are malnourished.
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| Membrane: | A thin skin-like sheet or layer of tissue lining a cavity or separating 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 intact. The artificial membrane in a dialyzer filters waste products from the blood.
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Membranoproliferative (mem-BRAY-no-pro-LIFF-er-uh-tiv) glomerulonephritis (gloh-MEHR-you-low-nef-RYE-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. |
| Morbidity: | The state of being ill or diseased. Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease often have such co-morbidities as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and lupus.
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N
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| Nephrectomy (nef-REK-tuh-mee): | Surgical removal of a kidney.
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Nephritis (neff-RYE-tus):
| Acute or chronic inflammation of the kidneys. |
Nephrologist (nef-RAHL-oh-gist):
| A doctor who treats kidney disease. |
| Nephron (NEF-rahn): | A tiny part of the kidneys. Each kidney is made up of about one million nephrons, which are the working units of the kidneys, removing wastes and extra fluids from the blood.
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| 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.
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| Non-heartbeating donor: | Someone who has died in a hospital following a cardio-respiratory arrest. If the proper steps are taken to immediately retrieve or preserve organs, they can be taken for transplantation.
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| 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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P
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| Palliative (PAL-ee-ah-tiv) care: | Treatment to prevent and relieve suffering and pain. This kind of care treats the physical, psychological, and social distress symptoms.
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| Parathyroid glands: | Glands that are situated close to the thyroid glands in the neck. They secrete parathyroid hormone and are mainly concerned with the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus. (See also Hyperparathyroidism.)
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Peritoneal (pear-uh-tuh-NEE-ul) access:
| In peritoneal dialysis, a catheter that is inserted into the peritoneal cavity of the abdomen for fluid exchanges. |
| Peritoneal cavity: | The space inside the lower abdomen but outside the internal organs that contains the stomach, liver, and bowels.
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| Peritoneal dialysis: | (See Dialysis.)
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Peritoneum (pear-ah-tuh-NEE-um):
| The natural membrane lining the peritoneal cavity. |
Peritonitis (pear-ah-tow-NIGH-tus):
| Inflammation of the peritoneum, a common complication of peritoneal dialysis. (See Dialysis).
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| Phosphate (FOSS-fate): | A substance involved with calcium which tends to accumulate in the body when the kidneys fail.
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| Phosphate binders: | Drugs to prevent the accumulation of phosphate in the blood.
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Plasma creatinine:
| (See Creatinine.) |
Platelets (PLATE-ah-lets):
| A kind of blood cell that helps blood to clot. |
| Polycystic (pawlee-SIS-tick) kidney disease (PKD): | A genetic disorder that causes multiple grape-like clusters of cysts filled with fluid to develop in the kidneys. PKD is one cause of progressive loss of kidney function.
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| Potassium (poe-TASS-ee-um): | A mineral found in the body and in many foods that needs to be controlled to prevent heart problems.
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| Pre-emptive transplant: | A kidney transplant that is carried out before the patient has to begin dialysis treatments.
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| Prostatic hypertrophy (hi-PER-tro-fee): | Enlargement of the prostate gland. Benign prostatic hypertrophy is the most common form of bladder outflow obstruction in the adults, which can cause chronic kidney disease.
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| Protein (PRO-teen): | One of the major kinds of foodstuffs found in meat, fish, dairy products, and nuts. It makes up muscle matter. The broken down products are gotten rid of through the kidneys.
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| Proteinuria (pro-tee-NURE-ee-uh): | A condition in which the urine contains large amounts of protein. It is a sign that the kidneys are not functioning properly.
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| Pruritis (pru-RIGHT-us): | Intense chronic itching. For patients with advanced kidney failure, it can be caused by excess phosphate, which is normally regulated by functioning kidneys.
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| Pyelonephritis (pie-ello-neff-RIGHT-us): | Inflammation of that part of the kidneys lying in between filtering units. The condition can be caused by frequent infections, drugs, or a number of other causes.
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R
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| Recipient (ree-SIP-ee-unt): | Someone who received a transplanted organ such as a kidney from a living or just deceased donor.
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| Rejection (ree-JECK-shun): | The transplant recipient’s immune system recognizes the transplanted kidney as a foreign object or organ and tries to reject it.
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| Renal (REE-nul): | Pertaining to the kidneys. A renal disease is a disease of the kidneys. Renal failure means the kidneys have stopped working properly.
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| Renal failure: | Loss of the kidney’s ability to get rid of bodily wastes, produce urine, and conserve electrolytes.
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| Renal Osteodystrophy (ah-stee-oh-DIS-tro-fee): | Weak bones caused by poorly working kidneys. Renal osteodystrophy is a common problem for people on dialysis who have high phosphate levels or insufficient vitamin D supplementation.
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| Renal replacement therapy (RRT): | Treatment to replace the function of failed kidneys by dialysis or a renal transplant.
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| Renin (REE-nun): | A hormone made by the kidneys that helps regulate the volume of fluid in the body and blood pressure.
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Renovascular (ree-no-VAS-ku-lar) Disease:
| A disease of the kidneys blood vessels. |
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S
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| Sepsis: | Infection. Disease-causing organisms or toxins in the blood or tissues.
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| Serum (SEER-um): | Clear, watery, yellowish fluid that is created when whole blood is separated into its solid and liquid components.
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| Serum creatinine: | The amount or level of creatinine in the blood. (See also Creatinine.)
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| Serum potassium: | Amount or level of potassium in the blood. While potassium is usually removed by the kidneys, too high or low a level can cause a rhythmic disturbance in the heart. (See also Potassium.)
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| Serum urea (you-REE-ah): | Amount or level of urea in the blood. (See also Urea.)
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| Sodium (SO-dee-um): | A mineral found in the body and in many foods.
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| Stage: | Classification of the progress of a disease. Chronic kidney disease has five classification stages or states.
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| Stenosis (sten-OH-sis): | In the vascular access, a constriction or narrowing of the blood vessels forming the fistula.
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T
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| Tenckhoff (TENK-off) catheter: | A tube allowing dialysis fluid to go into and out of the peritoneal cavity. The tube is capped off when not in use. (See illustration below). 
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Two double-cuff Tenckhoff chronic peritoneal catheters:
| standard (show at top), curled (shown at bottom). |
| Thrill: | A vibration or “buzz” that can be felt in an arteriovenous fistula. This is an indication that the fistula is healthy.
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| Thrombosis (throm-BO-sis): | A blood clot that restricts or impedes the flow of blood.
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| Transplant: | Replacement of a diseased organ with a healthy one. A kidney transplant may come from a living donor, usually a relative, or from someone who has just died. A kidney that has been donated is placed into the recipient’s lower abdomen. The blood vessels and ureter are then connected to the recipient’s blood vessels and bladder. Immunosuppressant medications are then given for the lifetime of the transplanted graft or the life of the patient to prevent rejection of the kidney.
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U
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Ultrafiltration (ahl-tra-fill-TRAY-shun):
| The removal of excess water from the blood. |
| Underdialysis: | A condition in which the patient does not receive enough dialysis.
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| Urea (your-EE-ah): | A waste product found in the blood and caused by the normal breakdown of protein in the liver. Urea is normally removed from the blood by the kidneys and then excreted in the urine. Urea accumulates in the body of people with renal failure.
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| Urea reduction ratio (URR): | A blood test that compares the amount of blood urea nitrogen before and after dialysis to measure the effectiveness or adequacy of the dialysis dose. (See also Blood urea nitrogen, Serum urea, and Urea.)
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| Uremia (your-EE-me-ah): | A toxic condition associated with the buildup of urea in the blood because the kidneys are not working effectively. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, and mental confusion. (See also Serum urea, Urea, and Urea reduction ratio [URR].)
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| Ureters (your-EE-turs): | Tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
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| Urethra (your-EE-thrah): | The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
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| Urinalysis (your-in-AL-ah-sis): | A test of a urine sample that can reveal many problems of the urinary and other body systems. The sample may be observed for color, cloudiness, and concentration; signs of drug use; chemical composition, including sugar; the presence of protein, blood cells, or germs; or other signs of disease.
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| Urinary (your-ah-nehr-ee) tract: | The system that takes wastes from the blood and carries them out of the body in the form of urine. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, renal pelvises, ureters, bladder, and urethra. (See illustration above.)
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| Urinate (YOUR-in-ate): | To release urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Kidney failure severely restricts a person’s ability to urinate.
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| Urine (YOUR-in): | Liquid waste product filtered from the blood by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and expelled from the body through the urethra by the act of voiding or urinating. (See also Urinate.)
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V
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| Vascular (VASS-cue-lur) access: | The area on the body (usually the arm) where blood is drawn for circulation through a hemodialysis (see Dialysis) circuit. A vascular access may be an arteriovenous fistula, a graft, or a catheter. (See Arteriovenous [AV] fistula, Catheter, and Graft.)
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| Vascular calcification: | (See Calcification.)
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| Vasculitis (vass-que-LIE-tus): | Inflammation of trhe blood vessels. Damage can be caused if the blood vessels in the kidneys are affected.
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| Vein (vane): | A vessel that carries blood toward the heart.
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| Venous (VEE-nus) catheter: | A catheter that is inserted in a vein. A central venous catheter is inserted into a central vein through the arm, shoulder, or neck.
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| Venous line: | In hemodialysis (see Dialysis), the tubing that carries blood from the dialyzer back to the body.
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