Urinary System Overview Quiz

Study Notes

The urinary system is comprised of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.
The kidneys are located on either side of the vertebral column, extending from the 12th thoracic to 3rd lumbar vertebrae.
The right kidney is slightly lower than the left.
Each kidney is approximately 12 cm long, 6 cm wide, and 3 cm thick.

The kidney tissue is differentiated into cortex and medulla.
Kidneys have two surfaces, two borders, and two ends.
The lateral border is convex, the medial border is convex at both ends and concave in its middle.
The middle of the medial border is the hilum.
The hilum provides passage for renal vessels, nerves, and the pelvis of the kidney.
The pelvis is a dilated sac, extending beyond the hilum, and connecting to the ureter.

Right Kidney:
- Right suprarenal gland
- Duodenum
- Liver
- Colon
- Small intestine
Left Kidney:
- Left suprarenal gland
- Stomach
- Spleen
- Pancreas
- Colon
- Small Intestine

Diaphragm
Muscles of posterior abdominal wall (psoas major, quadratus lumborum, transversus abdominis)

Two muscular tubes, one on each side of the body.
Convey urine from kidneys to the urinary bladder.
Approximately 25-30 cm in length.
Half of the ureter course is in abdomen, while the other half is in the pelvis.
A continuation of the hilum of the kidney.
Opens into the postero-superior angle of the urinary bladder.
Three sites of constriction:
- Pelvi-ureteric junction
- Crossing common iliac artery
- Ureter-vesical junction

A hollow viscus with a strong muscular wall.
Serves as a reservoir for urine.
Located in the pelvic cavity, behind the pubic bones.
Shaped like a three-sided pyramid, placed on one of its angles.
Capacity is approximately 220 cc, but can accommodate up to 500 cc without discomfort.
Apex is behind the upper part of the symphysis pubis and continuous with the median umbilical ligament. The base is directed posteriorly.

Has three surfaces (one superior and two inferolateral).
Each surface and base are triangular in shape.
Related to:
- Seminal vesicles and ampulla of vas deferens (in males)
- Cervix of uterus and anterior wall of vagina (in females)
Ureter enters superolateral angle of base.
Inferior angle (neck) gives rise to urethra.
In males, the neck rests on prostate and continues with the prostatic part of the urethra. - In females, it is continuous with the urethra.

20 cm long, divided into three parts
Prostatic part: 3 cm long, widest portion, begins at bladder neck, surrounded by prostate. Ejaculatory duct opens into it.
Membranous part: 1 cm long, narrowest/shortest, surrounded by sphincter urethra.
Spongy part: 16 cm long, longest, traverses penis, and ends at the external urethral orifice.