Urinary System Overview and Kidney Structure

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What are the main organs that make up the urinary system?

The main organs of the urinary system are the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.

Where are the kidneys located in the body?

On either side of the vertebral column. (correct)

In the pelvic cavity.

In the thoracic cavity.

In the abdominal cavity.

What is the hilum of the kidney?

The hilum of the kidney is the concave medial border where blood vessels, nerves, lymph vessels, and the ureter enter and exit the kidney.

The left kidney is generally lower than the right kidney.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main divisions of the kidney's internal structure?

The two main divisions of the kidney's internal structure are the outer cortex and the inner medulla. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the ureters?

The ureters are muscular tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. Signup and view all the answers

How many sites of constriction are there in the ureters?

There are three sites of constriction in the ureters. Signup and view all the answers

The urinary bladder is located in the thoracic cavity.

False Signup and view all the answers

Describe the shape and capacity of the urinary bladder.

The urinary bladder is shaped like a three-sided pyramid, and its capacity is around 220 cc. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the apex and base of the urinary bladder?

The apex of the urinary bladder is located behind the upper part of the symphysis pubis and is continuous with the median umbilical ligament, while the base is directed posteriorly. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the opening at the bottom of the urinary bladder?

The opening at the bottom of the urinary bladder is called the neck. Signup and view all the answers

How many parts does the male urethra have?

The male urethra has three parts: the prostatic part, the membranous part, and the spongy part. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main functions of the prostate?

The prostate plays a vital role in the male reproductive system, producing a fluid that contributes to semen. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the external urethral orifice?

The external urethral orifice marks the end of the urethra and allows urine to exit the body. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the key features of the female urethra.

The female urethra is short, about 4 cm in length, and its upper part is surrounded by the sphincter urethra. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a covering of the kidney?

Renal cortex Signup and view all the answers

The left kidney is related to the spleen.

True Signup and view all the answers

The right kidney is related to the duodenum.

True Signup and view all the answers

The diaphragm directly contacts the posterior surface of the kidneys.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are the three layers of the bladder wall?

The three layers of the bladder wall are the mucosa (inner layer), detrusor muscle (middle layer), and adventitia (outer layer). Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between the prostatic and membranous urethra?

The prostatic urethra is surrounded by the prostate gland and is the widest part of the urethra, while the membranous urethra is short and narrow, surrounded by the sphincter urethra. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Urinary System Overview

The urinary system is composed of organs that filter waste from the blood and excrete it as urine.
The system consists of two kidneys, two ureters, one urinary bladder, and one urethra.

Kidney Structure and Function

Kidneys are located on each side of the vertebral column, extending from the 12th thoracic to the 3rd lumbar vertebra.
The right kidney is slightly lower than the left.
The average kidney is about 12 cm long, 6 cm wide, and 3 cm thick.
The kidney has two surfaces and two borders, and two ends.
The lateral border is convex, the medial border is convex at both ends, and concave in the middle.
The medial border's middle is called the hilum.
The hilum houses renal vessels and nerves, along with the renal pelvis (a dilated sac that connects to the ureter).
The kidney has an outer cortex and an inner medulla that filter the blood to create urine.

Kidney Relations

Anterior Surface (Right Kidney): The right kidney is adjacent to the liver, duodenum, colon, and small intestine, as well as the right suprarenal gland.
Anterior Surface (Left Kidney): The left kidney is adjacent to the spleen, pancreas, stomach, colon, and small intestine, as well as the left suprarenal gland.
Posterior Surface: The kidneys are located behind the diaphragm and the muscles of the posterior abdominal wall (psoas major, quadratus lumborum, and transversus abdominis).

Kidney Coverings

The kidney is covered by a fibrous capsule.
A layer of perirenal fat surrounds the fibrous capsule.
Renal fascia surrounds the perirenal fat.
Another layer of pararenal fat surrounds the renal fascia.

Ureters

Two muscular tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
Each ureter is approximately 25-30 cm long.
Part of the ureter's path is within the abdomen, and the other half is in the pelvis.
The ureter originates from the hilum of each kidney.
The ureter passes through constrictions (narrowing). Constrictions are located at the ureteropelvic junction, where it crosses the common iliac artery, and at the ureterovesical junction.

Urinary Bladder

A hollow organ that stores urine.
Located in the pelvic cavity, directly behind the public bones.
Shaped like a three-sided pyramid; with a capacity of approximately 220 ml
Maximum capacity without discomfort is about 500 ml.
Its apex is continuous with the median umbilical ligament.
Base is directed posteriorly.
Three surfaces: One superior and two inferolateral surfaces.
The base is triangular.
Each surface and base relate to other organs including vas deferens, cervix of uterus, the anterior wall of vagina.
Ureters enter the bladder's superior-lateral angle of the base
The inferior angle of the bladder relates to the urethra.
The urethra in males is continuous with the prostatic part of the urethra.
The urethra in females is continuous only with the urethra.

Male Urethra

About 20 cm long, the male urethra is divided into three parts:
- Prostatic urethra (3 cm long): Widest portion, beginning at the neck of the urinary bladder and surrounded by the prostate; the ejaculatory duct opens into the prostatic urethra.
- Membraneous urethra (1 cm long): Narrowest and shortest portion.
- Spongy urethra (16 cm long): Longest portion; runs through the penis and ends at the external urethral orifice.

Female Urethra

Short (approximately 4 cm long)
Begins at the neck of the bladder.
Its upper part is surrounded by the sphincter urethra.
Shorter, wider, and more dilatable than the male urethra.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the components of the urinary system and the intricate structure of the kidneys. This quiz covers the anatomy and functions of kidneys, including their location, relationships, and role in filtering blood to produce urine.