Urinary System Overview

Urinary System Overview

The urinary system, also known as the renal system, is a group of organs that filter waste and excess fluids from the blood and regulate electrolyte levels.

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
• Store and eliminate waste in the form of urine

Organs of the Urinary System

• Kidneys: two bean-shaped organs located in the upper back that filter waste and excess fluids from the blood
• Ureters: narrow tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder
• Bladder: a hollow, muscular organ that stores urine
• Urethra: a tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body

Kidney Structure

• Nephrons: functional units of the kidney that filter waste and excess fluids from the blood
• Glomerulus: a cluster of capillaries where filtration occurs
• Renal tubules: narrow tubes where reabsorption and secretion occur
• Collecting ducts: tubes that collect urine from the nephrons and transport it to the ureters

Urine Formation

1. Filtration: blood pressure forces water, ions, and small molecules out of the glomerulus and into the Bowman's capsule
2. Reabsorption: necessary substances are reabsorbed into the bloodstream
3. Secretion: waste products are secreted into the renal tubules
4. Urine concentration: water is reabsorbed or secreted to concentrate or dilute the urine

Regulation of Urine Production

• Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): regulates water reabsorption in the collecting ducts
• Aldosterone: regulates sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubules
• Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system: regulates blood pressure and electrolyte balance

Urinary System Overview

• The urinary system, also known as the renal system, filters waste and excess fluids from the blood and regulates electrolyte levels.

Functions of the Urinary System

• Filters waste and excess fluids from the blood to regulate electrolyte levels.
• Maintains acid-base balance.
• Produces hormones that help regulate blood pressure.
• Stores and eliminates waste in the form of urine.

Organs of the Urinary System

• Kidneys: two bean-shaped organs located in the upper back that filter waste and excess fluids from the blood.
• Ureters: narrow tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder.
• Bladder: a hollow, muscular organ that stores urine.
• Urethra: a tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.

Kidney Structure

• Nephrons: functional units of the kidney that filter waste and excess fluids from the blood.
• Glomerulus: a cluster of capillaries where filtration occurs.
• Renal tubules: narrow tubes where reabsorption and secretion occur.
• Collecting ducts: tubes that collect urine from the nephrons and transport it to the ureters.

Urine Formation

• Filtration: blood pressure forces water, ions, and small molecules out of the glomerulus and into the Bowman's capsule.
• Reabsorption: necessary substances are reabsorbed into the bloodstream.
• Secretion: waste products are secreted into the renal tubules.
• Urine concentration: water is reabsorbed or secreted to concentrate or dilute the urine.

Regulation of Urine Production

• Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): regulates water reabsorption in the collecting ducts.
• Aldosterone: regulates sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubules.
• Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system: regulates blood pressure and electrolyte balance.

Learn about the functions and organs of the urinary system, including filtering waste, regulating electrolyte levels, and maintaining acid-base balance.