What are the components of the urinary system?
Components of the Urinary System. The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra. The kidneys form the urine and account for the other functions attributed to the urinary system. The ureters carry the urine away from kidneys to the urinary bladder, which is a temporary reservoir for the urine.
Which structure carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder?
The ureters carry the urine away from kidneys to the urinary bladder, which is a temporary reservoir for the urine. The urethra is a tubular structure that carries the urine from the urinary bladder to the outside. Kidneys. Ureters. Urinary Bladder.
What organs are responsible for the flow of urine to the bladder?
Ureters: Once urine forms in the kidneys, it flows through small tubes (ureters) to the bladder. The ureters are typically between 8 and 10 inches in length. Muscles surrounding the ureters expand and contract to help urine flow to the bladder. Bladder: The bladder is a muscular organ that functions like a balloon.
Which muscle is responsible for holding urine in the bladder?
Sphincter muscles: These muscles surround the opening of the bladder, which extends to the urethra. The sphincter muscles expand and contract to hold urine in the bladder and to release urine when needed. Urethra: The urethra is the tube that connects the bladder to the genitals in order for urine to pass outside of the body.
What tests are used to determine the root cause of a urine problem?
If these have abnormal results, additional exams may be necessary to determine the root cause of the problem. Tests used for evaluating the urine system are generally referred to as urodynamic exams and can include uroflow tests, postvoid residual volume, cystometry, electromyography, and voiding pressure studies.
What are the health problems of the urinary system?
Various health problems can arise in the urinary system. The most common conditions include: 1 Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate: This occurs only in men and is a result of aging. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that is located by the neck of the bladder, surrounding the urethra. As the prostate enlarges, it places pressure on the urethra. Such compression can cause the urethra to narrow and, in some cases, close completely. If this takes place, a patient may find it very difficult to urinate. 2 Kidney stones: Kidney stones are a common urological condition in both men and women. Kidney stones form when minerals and other solid substances accumulate in the kidneys or along any part of the urinary tract. When they're too large, these stones can block the flow of urine from the body. 3 Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Urinary tract infections also occur in both men and women. UTIs can be present in any part of the urinary system, from the kidney (pyelonephritis) to the bladder (cystitis) to the urethra (urethritis).
What is the condition where stones block the flow of urine?
Kidney stones: Kidney stones are a common urological condition in both men and women. Kidney stones form when minerals and other solid substances accumulate in the kidneys or along any part of the urinary tract. When they're too large, these stones can block the flow of urine from the body.
How long does urine stay in the bladder?
As the amount of urine in the bladder increases, the bladder will expand. The average bladder can hold up to 2 cups of urine for two to five hours.
Where does the urethra go when the bladder is full?
In men, the urethra travels through the penis and in women, the urethra ascends above the vaginal opening. When the bladder becomes full, nerves will send signals to the brain indicating that it is time to eliminate urine from the body.
What is the function of the urinary system?
Your urinary system filters your blood to get rid of what your body doesn’t need. It eliminates extra water and salt, toxins, and other waste products. Different parts of the urinary system perform tasks including: Filtering blood. Separating the toxins you don’t need from the nutrients you do need. Storing and carrying urine out of your body .
How does the urinary system work?
Here’s how the urinary system works: Your blood enters each kidney through lots of little arteries. Your kidneys filter your blood, separating toxins from nutrients. Vitamins, minerals, nutrients and proteins return to your bloodstream. Waste products and urine move through your ureters to your bladder.
Why do I have a lot of urine?
Your doctor may use ultrasound (sound waves) to break the stones into tiny pieces so they’re easier to pass. Urination problems: Loss of bladder control, or urinary incontinence (leakage), causes urine to leak a little or a lot. Urinary incontinence most often occurs in women, usually after pregnancy or later in life.
Why does my bladder prolapse?
Structural problems: Sometimes babies are born with birth defects that affect the way the urinary tract is formed. These abnormalities can cause urine to back up in the kidneys and cause infection. Later in life, a bladder prolapse can occur after pregnancy or as women age.
What causes pain in the kidneys?
Sometimes structural issues need surgery to repair them. Kidney stones: These masses form when waste products in urine clump together. Kidney stones or ureteral stones (kidney stones that move to the ureter) can cause severe pain and block the flow of urine.
How common is UTI in women?
UTIs are more common in women than in men. More than 60% of women will get a UTI in their lifetime. About half of women over 65 experience urinary incontinence, usually because of stretched muscles from pregnancy and childbirth. Kidney stones are also fairly common, occurring in about 1 in every 10 people.
What causes urinary problems?
Some common urinary disorders are: Infections: Urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause issues in the kidneys, urethra, or bladder. These infections occur when bacteria or viruses enter the urinary tract through the urethra.
What is the urinary system?
Urinary System Anatomy and Function. The body takes what it needs from food and changes it into energy. After this, waste products are left behind in the bowel and in the blood. The urinary system keeps everything in balance by removing waste, like urea, extra salt, extra water and other things the body does not need..
Which muscle is responsible for letting urine out of the bladder?
Urethra . The tube that allows urine to pass outside the body. The brain signals the bladder muscles to tighten, which squeezes urine out of the bladder. At the same time, the brain signals the sphincter muscles to relax to let urine exit the bladder through the urethra.
What is the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder called?
Each kidney has a narrow tube called a ureter , which carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. Muscles in the ureter walls tighten and relax forcing urine down this tube, away from the kidneys. If urine backs up, or stands still, a kidney infection can develop.
What is the name of the tube that drains urine from the kidney?
Each nephron is made up of a ball of small blood capillaries, called a glomerulus. There is also a small tube called a renal tubule, which drains the urine and joins other tubules carrying the urine out of the kidney to the ureter. Urea, together with water and other wastes, forms the urine.
What are the functions of the kidneys?
Their function is to: Remove waste from the blood in the form of urine. Keep substances stable in the blood. Make erythropoietin, a hormone which helps make red blood cells. Make vitamin D active.
Where is the bladder located?
Bladder. The bladder is a triangle-shaped, hollow organ located in the lower abdomen. It is held in place by ligaments attached to the pelvic bones. The bladder's walls relax and expand to store urine, and contract and flatten to empty urine through the urethra.
What is the function of the urinary system?
The purpose of the renal / urinary system is to eliminate wastes from the body, regulate blood volume and pressure, control levels of electrolytes and metabolites, and regulate blood pH.
Which organs filter blood and produce urine?
Kidneys : The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs which filter blood and produce urine.. They remove wastes, control the body’s fluid balance, and keep the right levels of electrolytes . Kidneys are the most complex and critical part of the urinary system.
What are the organs of the renal system?
Organs of the Renal / Urinary System 1 Kidneys: The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs which filter blood and produce urine.. They remove wastes, control the body’s fluid balance, and keep the right levels of electrolytes . Kidneys are the most complex and critical part of the urinary system. 2 Ureter: Urine passes from the renal tube through tubes called ureters and into the bladder. 3 Bladder: The bladder is flexible and is used as storage until the urine is allowed to pass through the urethra and out of the body. 4 Urethra: Duct that transmits urine from the bladder to the exterior of the body during urination. The female and male urinary system are very similar, differing only in the length of the urethra.
What is the name of the tube that exits the kidney and emptys into the bladder?
The ureters are urine-bearing tubes that exit the kidney and empty into the urinary bladder. The renal hilum is the entry and exit site for structures servicing the kidneys: vessels, nerves, lymphatics, and ureters. The medial-facing hila are tucked into the sweeping convex outline of the cortex.
What are the three regions of the kidney?
The kidney has three regions: Outer renal cortex, Inner renal medulla and Renal pelvis. Figure 3. The internal structure of the kidney is shown. (credit: modification of work by NCI) Renal Cortex: In a dissected kidney, it is easy to identify the cortex; it appears lighter in color compared to the rest of the kidney.
How many renal pyramids are there in the kidney?
There are, on average, eight renal pyramids in each kidney. Renal Pelvis: The renal pelvis leads to the ureter on the outside of the kidney. On the inside of the kidney, the renal pelvis branches out into two or three extensions called the major calyces, which further branch into the minor calyces.
What is the difference between the left kidney and the right kidney?
The left kidney is located at about the T12 to L3 vertebrae, whereas the right is lower due to slight displacement by the liver. Upper portions of the kidneys are somewhat protected by the eleventh and twelfth ribs.
