Anatomy 2 Urinary System

Urinary System

Ureter Definition

the tube that transports urine from the kidney to the bladder

Peristalsis Definition

the smooth muscle contractions that propel urine through the ureters

Transitional Epithelium Definiton

the epithelial tissue that changes shape to accommodate changes in urine volume

Lamina Propria Definition

the connective tissue underlying the transitional epithelium

Muscularis Definition

the smooth muscle layer of the ureter responsible for peristalsis

Adventitia Definition

the fibrous outer tissue layer containing loose areolar connective tissue and blood vessels

Trigone Definition

triangular region at the floor of the bladder

Detrusor Muscle Definition

the smooth muscle layer of the bladder responsible for contractions during urination

Submucosa Definition

connective tissue layer contains elastin fibers within the bladder wall

Internal Ureteral Sphincter Definition

the involuntary sphincter that controls urine discharge from the bladder

External Urethral Sphincter Definition

the voluntary sphincter responsible for controlling the release of urine

Urethral Orifice Definition

the opening through which urine exits the urethra into the environment

Prostatic Urethra Definition

the portion of the male urethra associated w/ the prostate gland

Membranous Urethra Definition

the middle (intermediate) section of the male urethra

Penile (Spongy) Urethra Definition

the portion of the male urethra that travels through the penis

Micturition Reflex Definition

the dual voluntary and involuntary reflex that stimulates urination

Incontinence Definition

the inability to control micturition (urination)

Retroperitoneal Definition

describes the position of the ureters behind the peritoneum

Functions of the Urinary System

1. 1. filter blood

2. 2. remove metabolic waste,

3. 3. maintain internal chemical and fluid balance

Organs of the Urinary System

1. 1. kidneys

2. 2. renal pelvis

3. 3. ureters

4. 4. urinary bladder

5. 5. urethra

Vessels of the Urinary System

1. 1. renal artery

2. 2. renal vein

3. 3. arterioles and capillaries

Basic Functional Unit of the Kidney

nephron

Kidney Function

organ that produces urine

Urinary Bladder Function

hollow muscular organ that temporarily stores urine

Urethra Function

carries urine from bladder to outside

Micturition Definition

process of urination

Blood PH Regulation Definition

acid - base balance

Water Regulation Definition

maintain blood volume / pressure

Electrolyte Regulation Definition

electrolyte concentrations balanced

Gout Definition

uric acid crystals collect in joints

Renal Artery Definition

vessel that carries oxygen - rich blood

Renal Vein Definition

vessel that carries oxygen - poor blood

Hilum Definition

the entrance / exit point for the kidney

Gerota’s Fascia Definition

central tip of the medulla

Fibrous Capsule Definition

thin, tough covering (tightly packed collagen fibers)

Adipose Capsule Definition

fat layer that cushions and supports the kidney

Nephroptosis Definition

kidney droops from its normal position

Renal Cortex Definition

outermost region of the kidney

Renal Medulla Definition

deeper inner region of the kidney

Renal Sinus Definition

internal cavity, surrounds pelvis, holds adipose tissue

Renal Pelvis Definition

central collecting region

Renal Pyramid Definition

conical mass of tissue, forms part of the renal medulla

Renal Papilla Definition

central tip of the medulla

Renal Column Definition

bands of cortical tissue that seperate adjacent pyramids

Minor Calyx Definition

smaller cup - shaped structures that collect / drain urine

Major Calyx Definition

larger cup - shaped, receive / drain urine

Kidney In Situ Definition

the kidney’s original position within the body

Glomerulus Function(s)

a tiny network of specialized blood vessels (capillaries) that regulate filtration

Afferent Arteriole Function(s)

delivers blood directly to the glomerulus

Efferent Arteriole Function(s)

carries blood away from the glomerulus after filtration has taken place

Renal Corpuscle Function(s)

production of filtrate

Podocytes Definition

specialized cells w/ '“feet” that wrap around glomerular capillaries and help form filtration slits

Clinical Indicators of Urine Definition

findings may indicate a health problem, including RBC’s, WBC’s, protein, or glucose

Descending Limb Definition

portion of the loop of Henle where water leaves the filtrate which concentrates remaining fluid

Parietal Layer Definition

the outer, simple squamous epithelial layer of the Bowman’s Capsule

Proximal Convoluted Tubule Function(s)

the tubule segment that reabsorbs much of the filtered water, ions, glucose, and amino acids

Normal Urine Composition

substances normally found in urine: water, electrolytes, nitrogenous wastes, and creatinine

Distal Convoluted Tubule Function(s)

the tubule segment involved in further reabsorption and also secretion

Bowman’s Capsule Definition

the cup - shaped structure surrounding the glomerulus after filtration

The Structure Consisting of the Glomerulus and Bowman’s Capsule

renal corpuscle

Collecting Duct Definition

the structure that gathers liquid from multiple nephrons and continues adjusting pH before the fluid moves towards the renal pelvis

The Inner Layer of the Bowman’s Capsule - made of specialized cells

visceral layer

The Specialized Filtration Barrier that allows water and small solutes to pass through

glomerular filtration barrier

The Series of tubule segments that receives filtrate from the renal corpuscle and modifies it through reabsorption and secretion

renal tubule

3 Layers of Ureters Tissues (deep to superficial)

1. 1. mucosa

2. 2. muscularis

3. 3. adventitia

4 Layers of Bladder Tissue (deep to superficial)

1. 1. mucosa

2. 2. submucosa

3. 3. muscularis

4. 4. adventitia

Female Urethra Function(s)

only urinary functions, shorter

Male Urethra Function(s)

has urinary and reproductive functions, longer

1. 1. prostatic

2. 2. membranous

3. 3. penile (SPONGY)

UTI’s

common infections that happen when bacteria, often from skin or rectum, travel up the urethra and infect the urinary tract

Which structural feature distinguishes the urinary bladder wall from the ureter wall?

The bladder has a submucosa containing elastin fibers and a three-layer detrusor muscle.

The ureter contains an inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle arrangement. How does this arrangement contribute to urine transport?

It creates peristaltic contractions that move urine toward the bladder.

Which nervous system pathway is responsible for the involuntary contraction of the detrusor muscle during the micturition reflex?

Parasympathetic autonomic motor pathway

Why is transitional epithelium particularly appropriate for the lining of the urinary bladder?

It accommodates changes in volume as the bladder fills and empties.

Which sequence correctly traces urine after it leaves the collecting tubule?

Minor and major calyces → renal pelvis → ureter → bladder → urethra

Bladder stretch information reaches both the sacral spinal cord and higher brain centers. What is the functional significance of this dual signaling?

The spinal cord initiates the involuntary reflex while the brain provides conscious awareness and can inhibit it.

Which sequence correctly identifies the three sections of the male urethra from proximal to distal?

Prostatic → membranous → penile (spongy)

During the micturition reflex, what happens immediately after stretch receptors in the detrusor muscle detect bladder filling?

Sensory neurons transmit signals to the sacral spinal cord (S2–S4).

Which combination correctly describes the ureter's tissue layers from deep to superficial?

Mucosa, muscularis, adventitia

Which of the following are structures that comprise the glomerular filtration barrier (GFB)?

Capillary endothelium of the glomerulus, the basement membrane, and the podocytes of the glomerular capsule.

The Renal Tubule is made of the following components:

Proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, and distal convoluted tubule

The creation of most of the filtrate in the nephron occurs in the 

Renal corpuscle

Which of these processes do not occur in the formation of urine?

chemical reactions that create proteins in the blood

Which of the following processes occur in the renal tubule?

reabsorption and secretion

The primary purpose of urine production is to 

maintain homeostasis by regulating the volume and composition of the blood

Which of the following is not found as a component of normal urine?

glucose

Which term refers to a series of tests on a urine sample that is used to screen and diagnose health conditions?

urinalysis

The collection duct is the location of:

adjustment of final blood pH through exchange of hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions.

What process occurs at the Glomerulus?

filtration of blood

Which processes occur in the loop of Henle?

descending limb: reabsorption of water

ascending limb: reabsorption of chloride and sodium ions

Which of the following are the main components of the nephron?

Renal corpuscle and renal tubule

What is the order of components that filtrate/tubular fluid flows through the nephron?

glomerulus, PCT, descending limb (loop of Henle), ascending limb (loop of Henle), DCT, collecting duct

The type of endothelial cells found in the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) are 

simple cuboidal cells with microvilli

Proximal Convoluted Tubule Process(es)

Reabsorption

Collecting Duct Process(es)

Reabsorption and Secretion

Distal Convoluted Tubule Process(es)

Secretion and Reabsorption RAAS

Ascending Limb Process(es)

Reabsorption

Renal Corpuscle Process(es)

Filtration

Descending Limb Process(es)

Reabsorption