Human Urinary System

Questions and Answers

What is the term for the process of urination?

Micturition (correct)

Urination

Dehydration

Diuresis

Where does the urine first collect from the collecting tubules?

Nephrons

Renal calyx (correct)

Renal medulla

Renal cortex

What is the function of the valves in the ureters?

To enhance kidney function

To prevent backflow of urine (correct)

To regulate blood pressure

To increase urine concentration

What is the direction of urine flow in the ureters?

Towards the feet Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder?

Ureter Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the muscular tube that allows urine to exit the body?

Urethra Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the part of the kidney where the renal calyces coalesce?

Renal pelvis Signup and view all the answers

What happens if urine flows backwards in the ureters?

It causes infection or other complications Signup and view all the answers

What type of epithelium lines the bladder?

Transitional epithelium Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the internal urethral sphincter?

To prevent urine from leaking out of the bladder Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the urine stream flowing from the ureters into the bladder?

Urine jet Signup and view all the answers

How much urine can the bladder hold?

300-500 milliliters Signup and view all the answers

What type of muscle is the internal urethral sphincter?

Smooth muscle Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the structure that conducts urine from the bladder to the outside world?

Urethra Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference in the path from the bladder to the bathroom between men and women?

The length of the urethra Signup and view all the answers

Where do the ureters conduct urine?

To the bladder Signup and view all the answers

What does the transitional epithelium allow the bladder to do?

Expand and hold a variable volume of urine Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the muscle that controls the flow of urine from the bladder?

Internal urethral sphincter Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the part of the urethra that passes through a membrane or sheet that circles the urethra?

Membranous urethra Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT under voluntary control?

Internal urethral sphincter Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the organ that the urethra passes through in males?

Prostate Signup and view all the answers

Why do women tend to have more urinary tract infections (UTIs)?

Because they have a shorter urethra Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the part of the urethra that is present in the penis?

Spongy urethra Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for urine hanging out in the kidney or ureter for a long period of time?

Stasis Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of urinating that helps prevent infection?

To dispel bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What type of muscle makes up the external urethral sphincter?

Skeletal muscle Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the valves that ensure urine flows in one direction, from the kidney to the bladder?

Ureteral valves Signup and view all the answers

Why is backflow problematic?

Because it increases the risk of infection Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Micturition Process

Micturition is a fancy phrase for "to pee" or "to urinate."
The process of micturition begins in the kidney, where urine is concentrated in the nephrons.

Renal Calyx and Renal Pelvis

The renal calyx collects urine from the collecting tubules.
Several renal calyces coalesce together to form the renal pelvis.
The renal pelvis leaves the kidney through the ureter.

Ureter

The ureter conducts urine inferiorly (towards the feet) and connects to the bladder.
The ureter has valves that prevent backflow of urine, making it a one-way street.

Bladder

The bladder is lined with transitional epithelium, which allows it to expand and hold 300-500 milliliters of urine.
The bladder has an internal urethral sphincter, a circle of muscle that prevents urine from leaking out unless it's really full.
The internal urethral sphincter is not under our control and is made up of smooth muscle.

Urethra

The urethra conducts urine to the outside world and is the organ used to pee.
The path from the bladder to the bathroom is different for men and women.

Female Urethra

The female urethra leads out of the body and has an internal urethral sphincter.
It then passes through a membrane, or sheet, that circles the urethra, called the external urethral sphincter.
The external urethral sphincter is under voluntary control and is made up of skeletal muscle.

Male Urethra

The male urethra passes through the prostate gland, then through the membranous urethra.
After the membranous urethra, it leads into the spongy urethra, which is in the penis.

Importance of Valves and Urine Flow

Valves in the ureter ensure urine flows in one direction, preventing backflow and stasis.
Backflow can lead to a greater risk of infection, especially in women who have a shorter urethra.
Urinating helps to dispel bacteria that may have made it up the urethra from contact with the external environment.

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Description

This quiz covers the process of micturition, including the roles of the renal calyx, renal pelvis, and ureter in the urinary system.