Urinary system

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Increases reabsorption of water in the collecting ducts, concentrating urine and reducing water loss during dehydration.

Aldosterone

Increases reabsorption of sodium and excretion of potassium in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting ducts, raising blood volume and pressure.

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)

Secreted by the heart to promote sodium excretion in urine and vasodilation, lowering blood volume and pressure.

Renin

An enzyme secreted by the kidneys that initiates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), leading to increased blood pressure and fluid balance.

Natriuretic Peptides

Hormones released from the heart in response to high blood volumes, promoting natriuresis (excretion of sodium in urine) and lowering blood pressure.

Calcitonin

A hormone secreted by the thyroid gland that helps regulate calcium levels, indirectly influencing kidney function by affecting calcium excretion.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

A hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands that increases calcium reabsorption in the kidneys and promotes the activation of vitamin D.

Function of the urinary system

The urinary system removes waste products from the body, regulates blood volume and pressure, and maintains the electrolyte balance.

Components of the urinary system

The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

Kidneys

Organs that filter blood, produce urine, and regulate water and electrolyte balance.

Ureters

Tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Bladder

A muscular sac that stores urine until it is excreted from the body.

Urethra

A tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

Nephrons

The functional units of the kidney where filtration, reabsorption, and secretion occur.

Filtration

The process in which blood is filtered in the kidneys to form urine.

Micturition

The process of urination where urine is expelled from the bladder through the urethra.

Waste Management in the Urinary System

The urinary system filters metabolic waste from the blood, excreting it as urine to maintain homeostasis.

Dialysis

A medical treatment that filters waste and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are unable to do so.

Diuretics

Medications that promote the excretion of urine, commonly used to manage hypertension and edema.