Anatomy of the Urinary System

Home > Medicine > Anatomy and Physiology of the Urinary System > Anatomy of the Urinary System

Study of the structure and organization of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

Renal Anatomy: The study of the structure and location of the kidneys, which are the primary organs of the urinary system.
Nephron Anatomy: The study of the structure and function of the nephrons, which are the basic functional units of the kidneys that filter the blood and produce urine.
Glomerular Filtration: The process by which the blood is filtered by the glomerulus, a network of capillaries in the nephron, and urine is produced.
Tubular Secretion: The process by which certain substances are actively transported from the blood into the renal tubules to be eliminated in urine.
Tubular Reabsorption: The process by which certain substances are reabsorbed from the renal tubules back into the blood to maintain homeostasis.
Urine Formation: The overall process of filtration, secretion, and reabsorption that leads to the production of urine in the kidneys.
Ureters: The muscular tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.
Urinary Bladder: The muscular sac that stores urine until it is eliminated from the body.
Urethra: The tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.
Urinary System Disorders: Various conditions and diseases that affect the urinary system, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and renal failure.
Renal Anatomy: This refers to the study of the structure of the kidneys, including their size, shape, location, and internal anatomy, such as the renal cortex, renal medulla, and renal pelvis.
Ureter Anatomy: Ureter anatomy involves the study of the structure, location, and function of the muscular tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder and transport urine.
Bladder Anatomy: This refers to the study of the structure and function of the hollow, muscular sac that holds and expels urine.
Urethra Anatomy: Urethra anatomy involves the study of the structure and function of the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Nephron Anatomy: Nephron anatomy is concerned with the microscopic structure and function of the basic functional unit of the kidney, which filters blood and produces urine.
Glomerulus Anatomy: The glomerulus is a network of tiny blood vessels inside the nephron that filters blood and removes waste products.
Bowman's Capsule Anatomy: Bowman's capsule is a cup-like structure that surrounds the glomerulus and collects the filtered blood and waste products.
Loop of Henle Anatomy: The loop of Henle is a U-shaped tube in the nephron that helps to concentrate urine by reabsorbing water and salts.
Collecting Duct Anatomy: The collecting duct is a tubular structure in the nephron that collects urine from the nephrons and carries it to the renal pelvis.
Cortical Nephron Anatomy: Cortical nephrons are nephrons located in the outer layer of the kidney cortex, and they play a major role in urine concentration and production.
Juxtamedullary Nephron Anatomy: Juxtamedullary nephrons are nephrons located in the inner layer of the kidney cortex, and they play a major role in regulating the body's water and salt balance.
Peritubular Capillary Anatomy: Peritubular capillaries are small blood vessels that surround the nephron and help to reabsorb nutrients and other substances from the filtered blood.
Vasa Recta Anatomy: The vasa recta are blood vessels that run parallel to the loop of Henle in the kidney and help to maintain the concentration gradient of urine.
Renal Artery and Vein Anatomy: The renal artery and vein are large blood vessels that supply and drain blood to and from the kidneys.
Ureteral Sphincter Anatomy: The ureteral sphincter is a ring of muscle that contracts to prevent urine from flowing back up into the kidneys.
Bladder Sphincter Anatomy: The bladder sphincter is a ring of muscle that contracts to prevent urine from leaking out of the bladder.
Detrusor Muscle Anatomy: The detrusor muscle is a muscular layer in the bladder that contracts to expel urine.
"The urinary system, also known as the urinary tract or renal system, consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and the urethra."
"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)."