Urinary System Kylie Matheny, Mariely Hidalgo, Elias Sannicolo, Desiree Shine

Body System The urinary system, or renal system, has four basic parts: the kidneys, the bladder, the ureters, and the urethra. The purpose is to eliminate wastes from the body, regulate blood volume and blood pressure, control levels of electrolytes and metabolites, and regulate blood pH.

Kidneys There are two kidneys in the human body. They are located in the back of the abdomen. The kidneys' function are to filter the blood. The kidneys remove wastes, control the body's fluid balance, and regulate the balance of electrolytes. Fun Fact: It's possible to lose as much as 90% of kidney function without experiencing any symptoms or problems.

Ureters The ureter is a tube that carries urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder. There are two ureters, one attached to each kidney. The upper half of the ureter is located in the abdomen and the lower half is located in the pelvic area. The ureter is about 10 to 12 inches long in the average adult. The tube has thick walls composed of a fibrous, a muscular, and a mucus coat, which are able to contract.

Bladder The bladder is a sac in humans and animals in which urine is collected for excretion. It is about the size of a pear when empty. The bladder stores urine, allowing urination to be infrequent and voluntary. The bladder muscles contract during urination. Two valves called sphincters open to allow urine to flow out. The urine exits into the urethra. The bladder is lined by layers of muscle tissue that stretch to accommodate urine. The normal capacity of the bladder is 400 to 600 mL.

Urethra The urethra is a thin, fibromuscular tube that extends from the bladder to external urethral orifice. Males have three sections: the prostatic urethra, the membranous urethra, and the spongy urethra. Men also have a urethra that goes from 7-8 inches, while females only go to 1.5 inches.

Body System and Homeostasis The Urinary system works with the other systems of the body to help maintain homeostasis. The kidneys are the main organs of homeostasis because they maintain the acid base balance and the water salt balance of the blood. The urinary system maintains blood homeostasis by filtering out excess fluid and other substances from the bloodstream and secreting waste. There are several functions of the urinary system: 1.Removal of metabolic waste products from the body (mainly urea and uric acid)urea 2.Regulation of electrolyte balance (e.g. sodium, potassium and calcium)sodiumpotassium 3.Osmoregulation: control of blood volume and body water content 4.Regulation of acid-base homeostasis and blood pHhomeostasis

Check for Understanding What is another name for the urinary system? What is the kidney's’ function? Where are the ureters located? What is the bladder the size of when empty? How long can a man’s urethra be?

Urinary Tract Infection (Mariely) A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of any part of the urinary system (your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra ).Most infections involve the lower urinary tract. (Affects kidneys) Doctors typically treat urinary tract infections with antibiotics. Urinary tract infections are the second most common type of infection in the body and account for around 8.1 million visits to health care providers each year. Symptoms A burning sensation when urinating Passing frequent, small amounts of urine Urine that appears cloudy Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — a sign of blood in the urine Strong-smelling urine Pelvic pain, in women especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone Strong persistent urge to urinate

Kidney Stones Minerals in urine form crystals (stones), which may grow large enough to block urine flow. It's considered one of the most painful conditions. Most kidney stones pass on their own but some are too large and need to be treated. Pain, sweating, and vomiting are common symptoms.

Bladder Cancer Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that begins in your bladder. Bladder cancer begins most often in the cells that line the inside of the bladder. Bladder cancer typically affects older adults, though it can occur at any age. The great majority of bladder cancers are diagnosed at an early stage — when bladder cancer is highly treatable. In 2016, more than 77,000 Americans will be diagnosed with bladder cancer. Men are almost 4 times more likely than women to be diagnosed. About 16,000 Americans will die of bladder cancer this year.

Interstitial Cystitis Inflamed and irritated bladder wall Frequent urge to urinate Pinpoint bleeding, scarring, stiffening of the bladder, pain in bladder, pelvis, penis, or testes. In severe cases there are ulcers Most common in women Medications include oral medicine and bladder instillations ( is a catheter to administer medication directly into the bladder.

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Labeling Activity Bladder Ureters Kidneys Urethra

Bibliography Source: Boundless. “Overview of the Urinary System.” Boundless Anatomy and Physiology. Boundless, 13 Apr Retrieved 22 Apr from 25/overview-of-the-urinary-system-238/overview-of-the-urinary-system / 25/overview-of-the-urinary-system-238/overview-of-the-urinary-system /