Aldosterone- adrenal hormone produced in response to volume and blood pressure factors in the kidney

Creatinine- breakdown product of muscle metabolism used as a marker of kidney function along with the BUN

Bicarbonate- major buffer in the blood stream involved with acid-base control, often lower in acidosis, higher in alkalosis

creatinine clearance- a measure of kidney filtration function, the GFR

Electrolytes- sodium, potassium, etc

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)- parameter of kidney function often measured by creatinine clearance; akin to functional horsepower of the kidney

Glomerulus- filtering part of the one million microscopic functional units (nephron) of each kidney

Glomerulonephritis- an inflammatory condition affecting the kidney tubules and filtering units often associated with significant loss of protein in the urine (proteinuria) and decreasing kidney function

Hypertension- high blood pressure which may be defined as constant readings over 135/85

Nephritis- nonspecific inflammation of the kidney involving the tubules

Nephrosclerosis- chronic scarring of the kidneys

Nephropathy- pertaining to a disease of the kidney

Potassium- (K) mineral part of blood and bodily fluids tightly controlled by the kidneys

Phosphate- component of bones and fluids controlled by kidney function and parathyroid glands important in energy metabolism

Renal- pertaining to the kidneys

Renovascular- pertaining to the blood vessels of the kidney

Sodium- (Na) major mineral component of body fluid involved in volume and blood pressure control