Urea and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) are related but not exactly the same. Urea is a waste product formed in the liver during protein metabolism. It is released into the bloodstream and transported to the kidneys for excretion. BUN, on the other hand, is a measure of the amount of nitrogen in the form of urea present in the blood. BUN levels are used as an indicator of kidney function. When the kidneys are healthy, they efficiently filter urea from the blood, leading to normal BUN levels. Elevated BUN levels can indicate potential kidney dysfunction or impairment. Therefore, while urea and BUN are related, BUN specifically refers to the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood.