What is a nephrostomy?

A nephrostomy is a medical procedure that creates an opening from the kidney to the outside of the body. This procedure is typically performed to relieve obstruction in the urinary system, allowing urine to drain directly from the kidney into a bag outside the body. The opening allows for the management of kidney function when normal drainage is not possible, such as in cases of kidney stones or tumors obstructing the urinary tract.

The other choices do not pertain to nephrostomy. Inflammation of the nerves relates to a different medical condition and does not describe a procedure involving the kidneys. A type of leukocyte refers to white blood cells, which are unrelated to nephrostomy. A benign skin blemish describes a dermatological condition, which is also distinctly different from any surgical procedure involving the urinary tract. Understanding the specific definitions and functions of medical terms can help in correctly identifying procedures and their implications in healthcare.