Human Anatomy: Urinary System Overview

The urinary system removes waste products like urea, creatinine, and uric acid from the blood.

The urinary system regulates the amount of water and electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and chloride, in the body.

The kidneys produce erythropoietin, renin, and calcitriol, which are hormones that regulate red blood cell production, blood pressure, and calcium levels.

The urinary system helps maintain the correct pH balance in the blood, by excreting hydrogen ions and reabsorbing bicarbonate.

The kidneys filter waste products from the blood and form urine for excretion.

The kidneys are located in the back of the abdominal cavity, between the 12th thoracic (T12) and 3rd lumbar (L3) vertebrae.

The right kidney sits slightly lower than the left kidney due to the presence of the liver on the right side.

The hilum is a concave indentation on the medial aspect of the kidney where the renal artery, renal vein, ureter, and lymphatics enter and exit the kidney.

The kidneys are approximately 4 inches long and 2.2 inches wide, weighing around 5.5 ounces.

The renal artery carries oxygenated blood to the kidneys, while the renal vein carries deoxygenated blood away from the kidneys.

The entry and exit point for blood vessels, nerves, and the ureter.

The outer layer of the kidney responsible for filtering blood.

The inner region of the kidney containing structures for urine transport.

The functional unit of the kidney responsible for urine production.

Filters blood in the nephron, pushing water and waste into Bowman's capsule.

Two muscular tubes, about 12 inches long, that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

A type of tissue lining the ureters, allowing them to stretch and accommodate urine flow.

Muscle contractions that move substances along a tube, like urine through the ureters.

A condition where the kidneys swell due to a blockage, usually caused by a kidney stone.

A hard deposit in the kidneys that can block the ureters, causing hydronephrosis.

A smooth muscle layer that contracts to expel urine.

A triangle-shaped region at the base of the bladder where the ureters and urethra connect.

Folds in the bladder lining that allow it to expand and store urine.

A muscular tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

A ring of muscle that surrounds the urethra and allows for voluntary control of urination.

Kidney stones are formed when minerals crystallize in the kidneys.

It's an inflammation of the urinary bladder, often caused by a bacterial infection.

A bacterial infection usually causes inflammation of both the kidney and renal pelvis.

Proteinuria indicates kidney damage as it involves the presence of protein in the urine.

Hematuria means blood in the urine and can be caused by various factors like infection, trauma, and even kidney stones.

This is the first step of urine formation. Here, blood pressure forces water, salts, glucose, and waste products from the capillaries in the glomerulus into Bowman's capsule.

This is the second step of urine formation. As filtrate travels through the proximal convoluted tubule, 99% of the water, glucose, and electrolytes are reabsorbed back into the bloodstream.

This is the third step of urine formation. Unwanted waste products, like potassium and hydrogen ions, are actively transported from the blood into the filtrate in the renal tubules.

This is the final step of urine formation. Once the filtrate is processed, it becomes urine and travels through the collecting ducts, renal pelvis, ureters, bladder, and finally exits the body through the urethra.

In this process, blood pressure forces water, salts, glucose, and waste products from the capillaries in the glomerulus into Bowman's capsule.

A method of removing waste products from the blood using the peritoneal membrane in the abdomen as a filter.

Manually performed during the day, using a catheter to deliver and drain dialysis fluid.

Automated process performed overnight, using a machine to cycle dialysis fluid.

Refers to the backflow of urine from the bladder to the ureters.

The act of urinating, expelling urine from the bladder.

This test analyzes the amount of urea in your blood, indicating possible problems with your kidneys.

This is a measure of how well your kidneys are filtering your blood.

A special X-ray using contrast dye to visually examine the urinary tract, including kidneys, ureters, and bladder.

A procedure where a scope is used to visually inspect the inside of the bladder.

This process removes waste products from the blood for patients with kidney failure, using a machine to filter the blood.