Overview of the Urinary System

Overview of the Urinary System

The urinary system, also known as the renal system, is responsible for producing, storing, and eliminating urine from the body.

Functions of the Urinary System

• Filter waste and excess fluids from the blood
• Regulate electrolyte levels
• Maintain acid-base balance
• Produce hormones that help regulate blood pressure
• Remove waste products from the body

Components of the Urinary System

Kidneys

• Two bean-shaped organs located in the lower back
• Filter waste and excess fluids from the blood
• Regulate electrolyte levels and maintain acid-base balance

Ureters

• Two narrow tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder
• Transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder

Bladder

• A hollow, muscular organ that stores urine
• Expands to hold urine and contracts to release urine

Urethra

• A tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body
• In males, the urethra also carries semen

Process of Urine Formation

1. Nephrons: The functional units of the kidneys that filter waste and excess fluids from the blood.
2. Glomerular filtration: Blood pressure forces water, ions, and small molecules out of the bloodstream and into the nephrons.
3. Tubular reabsorption: The kidneys reabsorb necessary substances, such as water and ions, back into the bloodstream.
4. Tubular secretion: The kidneys secrete waste products into the urine.

Regulation of Urine Production

• Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): Regulates the amount of water reabsorbed by the kidneys
• Aldosterone: Regulates the amount of electrolytes reabsorbed by the kidneys

Overview of the Urinary System

• The urinary system, also known as the renal system, is responsible for producing, storing, and eliminating urine from the body.

Functions of the Urinary System

• Filters waste and excess fluids from the blood.
• Regulates electrolyte levels.
• Maintains acid-base balance.
• Produces hormones that help regulate blood pressure.
• Removes waste products from the body.

Components of the Urinary System

Kidneys

• Two bean-shaped organs located in the lower back.
• Filter waste and excess fluids from the blood.
• Regulate electrolyte levels and maintain acid-base balance.

Ureters

• Two narrow tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder.
• Transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Bladder

• A hollow, muscular organ that stores urine.
• Expands to hold urine and contracts to release urine.

Urethra

• A tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
• In males, the urethra also carries semen.

Process of Urine Formation

Nephrons

• The functional units of the kidneys that filter waste and excess fluids from the blood.

Glomerular Filtration

• Blood pressure forces water, ions, and small molecules out of the bloodstream and into the nephrons.

Tubular Reabsorption

• The kidneys reabsorb necessary substances, such as water and ions, back into the bloodstream.

Tubular Secretion

• The kidneys secrete waste products into the urine.

Regulation of Urine Production

• Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): Regulates the amount of water reabsorbed by the kidneys.
• Aldosterone: Regulates the amount of electrolytes reabsorbed by the kidneys.

Learn about the functions and components of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.