Urinary System Structure and Function

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Questions and Answers

What happens to substances in the blood when their levels are high?

They are stored in the kidneys

They are reabsorbed into the blood

They are excreted (correct)

They are transformed into other substances

Which hormone is primarily involved in chemical control of fluid balance?

Thyroxine

Cortisol

Insulin

Aldosterone (correct)

What is the most common cause of cystitis?

Dehydration

E. Coli (correct)

Fungi

Streptococcus bacteria

What is a characteristic symptom of glomerulonephritis?

Presence of blood in urine Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is typically treated with antibiotics?

Cystitis Signup and view all the answers

What condition is indicated by the visual representation of bladder infection?

Urinary tract infection Signup and view all the answers

Which visual representation might be associated with the structure responsible for filtering blood in the kidneys?

Structure of glomerulus Signup and view all the answers

What image would likely depict a common age-related issue affecting urinary control in children?

Boy bedwetting Signup and view all the answers

Which imagery is least likely associated with the treatment of renal failure?

Kidney stones Signup and view all the answers

What type of imagery is commonly related to adult urinary incontinence?

Adult diapers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the kidneys in the urinary system?

To filter blood and form urine Signup and view all the answers

Which structure of the kidney is responsible for receiving urine from the collecting duct?

Renal Pelvis Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the glomerulus in the nephron?

To filter blood Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the nephron follows the Loop of Henle?

Distal convoluted tubule Signup and view all the answers

How does reabsorption occur in the nephron?

By reclaiming water and useful substances from the filtrate Signup and view all the answers

What structure connects the bladder to the outside of the body?

Urethra Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of the urinary system?

Production of red blood cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the formation of urine?

Filtration of blood Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary symptom associated with renal calculi?

Severe pain Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment option involves the use of shock waves to break up kidney stones?

LITHOTRIPSY Signup and view all the answers

What is an early sign of renal failure?

Oliguria Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of dialysis in patients with kidney failure?

To remove waste from blood Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of renal calculi?

Functioning urinary bladder Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended initial treatment to help expel renal calculi?

Increased fluid intake Signup and view all the answers

In chronic renal failure, what stage requires regular dialysis or a kidney transplant?

Stage 5 Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of hemodialysis is essential for filtering blood?

Semi-permeable membrane Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Structures, Functions, and Disorders of the Urinary System

The urinary system is responsible for removing wastes and excess fluids from the body.
Kidneys: bean-shaped organs located between the peritoneum and back muscles. They filter blood and produce urine.
Ureters: tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
Bladder: hollow, muscular organ that collects and stores urine.
Urethra: tube that connects the bladder to the outside of the body. Urinary meatus is the external opening where urine exits.
Renal capsule: tough fibrous layer surrounding the kidney.
Renal hilum: indentation where blood vessels and nerves enter/leave the kidney.
Renal pelvis: funnel-shaped structure that collects urine from the collecting ducts for passage into the ureter.
Renal cortex: outer portion of the kidney.
Renal medulla: innermost part of the kidney.

Nephron: Functional Unit of the Kidney

Bowman's capsule: double-walled capsule surrounding the glomerulus.
Glomerulus: cluster of capillaries where filtration takes place.
Proximal convoluted tubule: reabsorbs ions, water, and nutrients.
Loop of Henle: portion of the nephron that leads from the proximal to the distal convoluted tubule.
Distal convoluted tubule: portion of nephron between the loop of Henle and the collecting tubule.
Collecting tubule: collects urine from the distal convoluted tubule and discharges it into the renal pelvis.

Functions of the Urinary System

Excretion of wastes
Formation of urine
Fluid and electrolyte balance
Elimination of urine

Formation of Urine

Filtration: blood from the renal artery enters the glomerulus and high pressure forces some substances through the capillary walls, which act like a filter.
Reabsorption: water and useful substances are reabsorbed. If blood levels of certain substances are high (e.g., glucose, amino acids, vitamins, sodium), they are not reabsorbed.
Secretion: transports substances (e.g., creatinine, potassium, hydrogen, some drugs) into the collecting tubule.

Fluid and Electrolyte Balance

Kidneys help maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.
Chemical control through ADH (antidiuretic hormone) and aldosterone.
If levels of substances in the blood are too low, substances are returned to the blood.
If levels are too high, substances are excreted.
Diuretics are substances that inhibit reabsorption of H₂O.

Elimination of Urine

Average urinary output is 1500 ml per day.
Urinalysis: examination of urine to determine presence of blood cells, bacteria, acidity level, specific gravity, and physical characteristics.

Disorders of the Urinary System

Cystitis: inflammation of the urinary bladder. Most common cause is E. coli. Symptoms are dysuria (painful urination) and frequency. More common in females due to shorter urethra. Treatment: antibiotics.
Enuresis: bedwetting. Can occur up to the age of 5 as part of normal childhood development. Most children outgrow bed-wetting on their own.
Glomerulonephritis: inflammation of the kidney. May be acute (sudden) or chronic (slow development). Acute may occur after strep throat or other infections. Chronic develops slowly over years and often leads to complete kidney failure.
Incontinence: involuntary urination; inability to control the release of urine.
Renal calculi (kidney stones): made of crystals of calcium phosphate and uric acid. Symptoms include severe pain, nausea, vomiting, frequency, chills, fever, hematuria. Diagnosis by symptoms, ultrasound, and X-ray. Treatment: increasing fluids, medications, possible lithotripsy (shock waves).
Renal failure: occurs when kidneys lose the ability to sufficiently filter waste from blood. May be acute or chronic. Oliguria (scanty amount of urine) is an early sign of stages 1-5. Stage 5 requires dialysis or kidney transplant.

Dialysis (Hemodialysis)

Used for kidney failure.
Involves the passage of blood through a device with a semi-permeable membrane.
Dialysis serves as a substitute kidney.
Blood from the patient flows through the machine and is filtered.
Can be done at home or clinics.
Takes 2-4 hours, 2-3 times per week.

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Description

Explore the structures, functions, and disorders of the urinary system, including the roles of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Understand how each component contributes to waste removal and fluid balance in the body. This quiz will test your knowledge of the nephron and its significance within the kidney.