urinary system structures

functions of the urinary system

• maintaining homeostasis by filtering the blood through the kidneys

• converting the water products from filtration into urine and excreting them

urea

major waster product of protein metabolism

creatintine

waster product of muscle metabolism

urinary tract

• 2 kidneys

• 2 ureters

• 1 bladder

• 1 urethras

• adrenal glands

genitourinary tract

the urinary and reproductive organ system

function of the kidneys

filtering blood to remove waste products and excess water

what is urine

95% water and 5% urea and other body wastes

how many quarts of blood are filtered each day on average

200 quarts of blood

how many quarts of urine is excreted on avergae

2 quarts of urine

retroperitoneal

behind the peritoneum

what is the peritoneum

membrane that lines the adominal cavity

renal cortex

outer region of the kidney

• this layer of tissue has millions of nephrons

renal artery

oxygenated blood that flows into the kidneys

medulla

inner region of the kidney and it contains most of the urine collecting tubes

nephrons

microscopic functional units of each kidney

• this is where urine is produced through process of filtration, re-absorption, and secretion

glomerus

cluster of capillaries in a nephron

renal pelvis

funnel shaped area in each kidney that’s surrounded by the renal cortex and medulla

where does newly formed urine collect before going to the ureters

the renal pelvis

how long are the ureters

10 - 12 inches

ureteral orifices

openings in the bladder where the ureters can empty the urine into the bladder

urinary bladder

hollow muscular organ that’s a reservoir for urine before it’s excreted

what is the bladder lined with

rugae, this allows it the expand when it’s full and contract when it’s empty

urethra

tube extending from bladder to exterior of the body

urinary sphincters

there are two located at both ends of the urethra, these control the flow of urine

urethral meatus

external opening of the urethra

female urethra

aprox 1.5 inches located between clitoris and the opening of vagina

• only carries urine

male urethra

aprox 8 inches located at the tip of the penis

• carries both urine and semen

prostrate gland

only part of the male reproductive system; it surrounds the urethra

• most disorders of the prostrate affect men’s ability to urinate

another name for urination

voiding or micturtion