Unit 5 Concept 3 Study Guide Anatomy

Describe the major functions of the urinary system and how it works alongside at least three other body systems to accomplish these functions.

-Function = filter the blood and regulation; sends toxins and waste out in our urine and retains the nutrients our body needs

-Examples = By controlling water volume, the kidneys play a major role in maintaining blood pressure (cardiovascular system). Smooth muscles propel urine through the urinary tract. All filtration is controlled by the nervous and endocrine systems.

Defend the claim that the kidneys are the most critical organ in the urinary system.

The kidneys regulate water volume in the body and osmolality, ion concentrations, acid-base balance, excretion of foreign substances, red blood cell production, and blood pressure. They also convert leftover amino acids to carbs or lipids for storage. These are all ESSENTIAL for maintaining homeostasis.

Differentiate between the roles of the renal arteries and renal veins in the kidneys.

-Renal arteries: deliver oxygenated blood from the heart (via the aorta) to the kidneys

-Renal veins: deliver deoxygenated blood out of the kidneys to the heart (via the inferior vena cava)

Explain the importance of nephrons.

Nephrons are the structural and functional units of the kidneys, acting as microscopic filtering units for processing blood

Summarize the process of how nephrons filter blood in order to make urine, including where each step occurs.

-Glomerular filtration: a passive process where the glomeruli act as mechanical filters of the blood, resulting in a cell and protein-free filtrate; Occurs in glomerulus of the renal corpuscle

-Tubular reabsorption: any needed substances from filtrate are reabsorbed back into the blood; Occurs in the renal tubules and collecting ducts

-Tubular secretion: any unneeded substances are removed from the capillaries into the filtrate before being moved to the renal pelvis to be excreted as urine; Occurs in the renal tubules and collecting ducts

Summarize the methods used to regulate kidney filtration.

-Controlled intrinsically via myogenic mechanism and tubuloglomerular feedback loop

-Controlled extrinsically via the nervous and endocrine systems

Describe the roles of the ureters, bladder, and urethra in the urinary system.

-Ureters= paired tubes that transport urine from kidneys 🡪 bladder

-Bladder= temporary storage reservoir for urine

-Urethra= tube that carries urine from bladder 🡪 out of the body

Describe at least three indicators in a urinalysis test and what they can tell you about a patient's condition.

-Color = a sign of dehydration (if darker) or kidney damage (if reddish)

-Clarity = cloudiness can be a sign of a UTI or the presence of bacteria, pus or blood cells in the urine, whereas the presence of sediments can be a sign of kidney stones

-Odor = a fruity odor can indicate the presence of ketones (a sign of diabetes or starvation) while a foul odor can indicate a UTI

Be able to identify the structural components of a nephron when given a description, picture or physical specimen to reference.

Be able to identify the major regions and blood vessels of the kidneys when given a description, picture or physical specimen to reference.

Be able to identify the name and summarize the function of a structure of the urinary system when given a description, picture or physical specimen to reference.

Urination

=the act of emptying the bladder

--removes toxins from the body and maintains homeostasis of our water volume (and thus our blood pressure)

Renal cortex

=One of the three distinct regions of the kidney

--the most superficial region

Renal medulla

=One of three distinct regions of the kidney

--formed mostly of parallel bundles of urine collecting tubules and capillaries

Renal pelvis

=One of three distinct regions of the kidney

--funnel shaped tube with smooth muscle walls to propel urine via peristalsis into the ureters and on to the bladder

Fibrous capsule

=Outer covering of the kidney that protects it from infection

Renal corpuscle

=The part of the nephron that contains the glomerulus and the glomerulus capsule

Glomerulus

=A bunch of capillaries in the nephron that act as mechanical filters between blood and the glomerular capsule

Renal tubules

=Part of the nephron that starts in the glomerulus and ends in the collecting duct

Glomerular filtration rate

=How much blood can pass through the glomeruli every minute

Urinalysis

=A diagnostic medical test that analyzes the physical and chemical properties of urine that can be used to indicate the presence of various health issues or drug use