Urinary system part 1

Kidneys

Paired organs that produce urine.

Ureters

Paired tubes which take urine from each kidney to the urinary bladder.

Urinary bladder

Muscular sac for temporary urine storage.

Urethra

Tube that takes urine from the bladder to the outside.

Micturition

The process of eliminating urine from the body.

Excretion

Removal of metabolic wastes from body fluids.

Elimination

Discharge of wastes from the body.

Homeostatic regulation

Regulates blood volume and blood pressure, plasma concentration of ions, pH stabilization, nutrient conservation, and assists in detoxifying poisons.

Renal cortex

The superficial region of the kidney.

Renal medulla

The inner region of the kidney.

Renal pyramid

Triangular structures in the renal medulla.

Minor calyx

Cup-shaped drain that collects urine from renal pyramids.

Major calyx

Larger passageway formed by four or five minor calyces merging together.

Renal pelvis

Large, funnel-shaped chamber formed from the merger of the major calyces.

Nephron

Microscopic functional unit of the kidneys where urine production begins.

Glomerular capsule

Forms the outer wall of the renal corpuscle.

Podocytes

Specialized cells of the visceral layer of the glomerular capsule.

Glomerulus

Ball of intertwined capillaries where blood filtration occurs.

Juxtaglomerular cells

Cells that secrete renin, regulating blood pressure and fluid balance.

Mesangial cells

Specialized cells that provide structural support to glomerular capillaries and secrete erythropoietin.