The Excretory System

Excretory System

The system that removes waste from the body.

Urinary System

Specifically focuses on removing waste as urine from the body, closely linked to the circulatory system.

Urine

A fluid containing urea and other waste substances released from the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and excreted via the urethra.

Kidney

The primary organ of the urinary system, responsible for filtering blood to remove waste and produce urine.

Renal Veins and Arteries

Connect the kidney to the circulatory system; arteries carry blood to the kidney, and veins return clean blood to the heart.

Ureter

A duct that connects the kidney to the bladder, serving as the passage for urine out of the kidneys.

Bladder

A membranous sac that stores urine from the kidneys before it is released from the body.

Urethra

A duct that moves urine out of the body from the bladder.

Renal Vein

The blood vessel leaving the kidney to take clean blood back to be pumped around the body.

Renal Artery

The blood vessel bringing blood into the kidney to be filtered.

Renal Cortex

The outer part of the kidney containing the Bowman’s capsule, glomerulus, and convoluted tubules of the nephron.

Renal Pelvis

Connected to the medulla, allowing urine to drain out of the kidney and down the ureter.

Medulla

The inner layer of the kidney where the loops of Henle and collecting tubules are located.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney, consisting of an elongated tubule closely associated with a glomerulus.

Glomerulus

Capillary network entering the kidney’s Bowman’s capsule.

Filtration

The first stage of urine production that produces filtrate in the Bowman's capsule.

Filtrate

Formed of water, ions, and urea forced from the blood into the Bowman’s capsule.

Bowman's Capsule

Collects filtrate from blood.

Reabsorption

The second stage of urine production where substances from the filtrate are reabsorbed into surrounding capillaries.

Secretion

The final stage of urine production where wastes are moved into the urine.