"The urinary system, also known as the urinary tract or renal system, consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and the urethra."
This topic covers the structure and function of the kidneys and urinary tract, including the production and elimination of urine, and the maintenance of electrolyte balance and blood pressure.
Kidneys: The two bean-shaped organs responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and regulating electrolyte balance in the body.
Ureters: The tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
Bladder: The muscular sac that stores urine until it is ready to be eliminated from the body.
Urethra: The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the exterior of the body.
Nephron: The basic functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and producing urine.
Glomerulus: A network of capillaries in the nephron that filters blood.
Bowman’s capsule: A cup-shaped structure at the beginning of the nephron that encloses the glomerulus.
Renal blood flow: The rate at which blood flows through the kidneys.
Filtration rate: The rate at which blood is filtered in the kidneys.
Reabsorption: The process by which substances are absorbed back into the bloodstream from the nephron.
Secretion: The process by which waste products are transported from the bloodstream into the nephron to be eliminated as urine.
Electrolytes: Charged ions that play vital roles in maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle function in the body.
Acid-base balance: The regulation of the body’s pH levels to maintain proper function.
Hormones: Chemical messengers that regulate various processes in the body, including the urinary system.
Blood pressure: The force with which blood is pushed through the circulatory system, which can affect kidney function and urine production.
Kidneys: Two bean-shaped organs that filter blood and produce urine.
Ureters: Two tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder and transport urine.
Bladder: An expandable sac that stores urine until it is ready to be eliminated.
Urethra: A tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
"The purpose of the urinary system is to eliminate waste from the body, regulate blood volume and blood pressure, control levels of electrolytes and metabolites, and regulate blood pH."
"The urinary tract is the body's drainage system for the eventual removal of urine."
"The kidneys have an extensive blood supply via the renal arteries which leave the kidneys via the renal vein."
"Each kidney consists of functional units called nephrons."
"The ureters are tubes made of smooth muscle fibers that propel urine towards the urinary bladder."
"Urine is stored in the urinary bladder."
"Urine is expelled from the body by urination (voiding)."
"The female and male urinary system are very similar, differing only in the length of the urethra."
"Urine is formed in the kidneys through filtration of blood."
"800–2,000 milliliters (mL) of urine are normally produced every day in a healthy human."
"This amount varies according to fluid intake and kidney function."
"The purpose of the urinary system is to... regulate blood volume."
"During urination, the urine is passed from the bladder through the urethra to the outside of the body."
"The purpose of the urinary system is to... regulate blood pressure."
"The kidneys have an extensive blood supply via the renal arteries which leave the kidneys via the renal vein."
"The purpose of the urinary system is to... control levels of electrolytes and metabolites."
"During urination, the urine is passed from the bladder through the urethra to the outside of the body."
"The urine is then passed through the ureters to the bladder, where it is stored."
"Urine is expelled from the body by urination (voiding)."