The Excretory System

How Excretion Works O The excretory system uses several organs to remove all types of wastes from the body. O Body produces wastes in the form of solids, liquids, and gases that must be removed so that the body can function well O The large surface area of your skin allows you to excrete water and salts when you sweat

The Lungs, Skin, and Large Intestine O The lungs expel carbon dioxide when you exhale. O Sweating is a form of excretion that helps to regulate body temperature O Solid wastes are eliminated through the large intestine

The Liver O The liver is the first organ to receive chemicals absorbed from the small intestine O Detoxifies the body by processing and excreting into bile toxins such as drugs, alcohol, and some cellular waste products

Urinary System O The parts of the Urinary System: O Kidneys O Bladder O Ureters O Urethra O Main function of the urinary system is to filter waste and extra fluid from the blood O Urine is liquid waste material excreted from the body O consists of water and body wastes that contain nitrogen

The Kidneys O Adjust the amount of salts, water, and other materials excreted according to the body’s needs. O Monitor and maintain the body’s acid-base and water balances O Perform the vital function of removing waste from the blood

The Ureters O Tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder O Urine travels from the kidneys to the bladder through the ureters about every 15 seconds

The Bladder and Urethra O Urethra- The tube that leads from the bladder to the outside of the body O The bladder’s sphincter muscles close tightly like a rubber band around the opening of the bladder into the urethra O The bladder stores about 2 cups of urine comfortably for two to five hours

Maintaining Your Excretory Health O Healthful behaviors will help keep your excretory system healthy O Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day O Limit your intake of caffeine and soft drinks, which can increase the amount of water lost through urination O Follow a well-balanced eating plan O Practice good hygiene O Get regular medical checkups

Excretory System Problems O Excretory system problems commonly result from infection or blockage O Cystitis O Inflammation of the bladder caused by bacteria O Symptoms- pain during urination, frequency of urination, fever, possible blood in urine O Urethritis O Inflammation of the urethra caused by bacteria O Symptoms- pain during urination, frequency of urination, fever, possible blood in urine

Kidney Problems O Nephritis O Inflammation of the nephrons O Kidney Stones O Salts in the urine crystallize into solid stones and move into the ureter, causing pain and blocking the passage of urine O Uremia O Decreased blood filtration by the kidneys leads to abnormally high levels of nitrogen waste products remaining in the blood

Kidney Failure O Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to function O Caused by: infection, decreased blood flow, or diseases that damage kidney tissue O Hemodialysis takes three to five hours and is done three or four times per week O A technique in which an artificial kidney machine removes waste products from the blood O Kidney transplant involves the replacement of a nonfunctioning kidney with a healthy kidney from an organ donor