Anatomy and Physiology of the Genital and Urinary Systems

Genital system

The abdominal space also holds the male and female reproductive organs

Male reproductive system

Consists of testicles, epididymis, vasa deferentia, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and penis

Female reproductive system

Includes ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina

Urinary system

Controls the discharge of waste materials filtered from the blood by the kidneys

Kidneys

Two organs located on the posterior muscular wall of the abdomen behind the peritoneum; regulate acid–base balance and blood pressure; remove sodium chloride to help control blood pressure; filter nearly 20% of the blood output from the heart each minute; concentrate urine by reabsorbing water through specialized tubes

Renal pelvis

Formed by the union of the kidney's specialized tubes that collect concentrated urine

Ureters

Small (0.2 inch), hollow, muscular tubes that pass from the renal pelvis of each kidney along the posterior abdominal wall to the urinary bladder; peristalsis moves urine to the bladder

Urinary bladder

Composed of smooth muscle with a specialized lining membrane; receives urine from the two ureters entering posteriorly at its base; empties to the outside of the body through the urethra

Normal adult urine output

1.5 to 2 liters per day; urine is concentrated from the 1,500 liters of blood that circulate through the kidneys daily