Urinary part 1 of slide

Urine Formation and Kidney Function

• Urine formation occurs in the nephrons, the functional units of the kidney.
• The renal pelvis collects urine from the kidney and directs it to the ureter.

Vitamin D and Kidney Function

• Vitamin D plays a role in kidney function, particularly in regulating calcium levels.

Erythropoietin and Kidney Function

• Erythropoietin, produced by the kidneys, stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.

Assessing Kidney Function

• The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test assesses kidney function related to urea levels.

Urinary System Structures and Functions

• The urethra is the muscular tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
• The main function of the urinary bladder is to store urine.
• The ureters are muscular tubes that transport urine from the kidney to the bladder.

Nephron Functions

• Glomerular filtration is the process by which water, ions, and small molecules filter from the blood into the nephron tubules.
• During tubular reabsorption, the kidney reabsorbs water, ions, and nutrients from the filtrate back into the bloodstream.
• During tubular secretion, the kidney secretes waste products, ions, and excess substances from the blood into the filtrate.

Urination and Aging

• During urination, the bladder muscle contracts, and the sphincter muscle relaxes, allowing urine to flow out of the body.
• Aging affects the urinary system, leading to decreased kidney function, bladder elasticity, and muscle tone.
• A common issue related to the urinary system in males due to aging is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which can lead to urinary retention and other problems.