14.1 KATHERINE WHITE- Urinary system

What are the functions of the urinary system?

The functions of the urinary system include the regulation of electrolyte balance, removal of waste products from metabolism, regulation of blood pressure, acid-base balance, and the production of hormones.

What is urea?

Urea is a nitrogenous waste product formed in the liver from the breakdown of amino acids and is excreted in urine.

What is uric acid?

Uric acid is a waste product formed from the breakdown of purines, which are found in certain foods and beverages; it is excreted in urine.

What are the four regions of the urinary system?

The four regions of the urinary system are the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.

What is the function of the kidneys?

The function of the kidneys is to filter blood, remove waste products, regulate fluid and electrolyte balance, and produce hormones.

What color are the kidneys?

The kidneys are typically a reddish-brown color.

Where are the kidneys located?

The kidneys are located retroperitoneally, against the back wall of the abdominal cavity, one on each side of the vertebral column.

What is the renal medulla?

The renal medulla is the inner region of the kidney, containing renal pyramids and renal columns, involved in the concentration of urine.

What is the renal cortex?

The renal cortex is the outer layer of the kidney, responsible for filtration and contains renal corpuscles and proximal and distal convoluted tubules.

What is the renal hilium?

The renal hilum is the indentation on the medial side of the kidney where blood vessels, nerves, and the ureter enter and exit.

What are the nephrons?

Nephrons are the functional units of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming urine.

What is Bowman's capsule?

Bowman's capsule is the cup-like structure that encases the glomerulus in the nephron and is involved in the filtration of blood.

What is the proximal convoluted tubule?

The proximal convoluted tubule is the first segment of the nephron tubule where reabsorption of water, ions, and nutrients occurs.

What is the loop of Henle?

The loop of Henle is a U-shaped portion of the nephron that concentrates urine and reabsorbs water and salts.

What is the distal convoluted tubule?

The distal convoluted tubule is the segment of the nephron following the loop of Henle, involved in further reabsorption and secretion.

What are the urine collecting ducts?

The urine collecting ducts, also known as the collecting tubules, are responsible for transporting urine from the nephrons to the renal pelvis.

What are the ureters?

The ureters are muscular tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

What is the urinary bladder?

The urinary bladder is a muscular sac that stores urine until it is excreted from the body.

What is micturition?

Micturition is the process of urination, during which urine is expelled from the urinary bladder through the urethra.

What is the urethra?

The urethra is the duct that carries urine from the urinary bladder to the exterior of the body.

How is the male urethra described?

The male urethra is longer and has a dual function, transporting both urine and semen.

How is the female urethra described?

The female urethra is shorter and solely functions to transport urine.

What are the three regions of the male urethra?

The three regions of the male urethra are the prostatic urethra, membranous urethra, and spongy (penile) urethra.

What is urethritis?

Urethritis is the inflammation of the urethra, often caused by infection.

What is kidney agenesis?

Kidney agenesis is a congenital condition where one or both kidneys fail to develop.

What is glomerulonephritis?

Glomerulonephritis is the inflammation of the glomeruli in the kidneys, affecting their filtering capabilities.

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form in the kidneys, causing pain and urinary obstruction.

What is cystitis?

Cystitis is the inflammation of the urinary bladder, often associated with a bacterial infection.

What is dysuria?

Dysuria refers to painful or difficult urination.

What is ureteral stenosis?

Ureteral stenosis is the narrowing of one or both ureters, which can lead to obstruction of urine flow.

What is urethral stenosis?

Urethral stenosis is the narrowing of the urethra, causing difficulty in urination.

What is a UTI?

A UTI, or urinary tract infection, is an infection in any part of the urinary system, primarily affecting the bladder and urethra.