Clinical Medical Assisting Chapter 17: Urinary and Reproductive Systems

Objectives Identify combining word forms of the urinary and reproductive systems and their role in the formation of medical terms Define the structures and functions of the urinary and reproductive systems List abbreviations related to the urinary and reproductive systems Identify common diseases of the urinary and reproductive systems and their treatment, as well as diagnostic procedures related to the urinary and reproductive systems

Explain the process of urine formation Describe the importance of proper collection and preservation of 24-hour urine specimens Describe methods for chemical examination of a urine specimen Explain the importance of prenatal care, and discuss what examinations will be performed as part of the initial visit Objectives (con’t)

Chapter Overview The urinary system, sometimes called the genitourinary (GU) system, filters and removes waste products from the blood. The waste products are excreted from the body in the urine. Ultimately, the urinary system determines the fluid volume, composition, and distribution within the body. The urinary system is a critical and hard-working system of the human body. It continuously filters and excretes waste, because these waste products quickly become toxic if they remain in the body.

Structure and Function of the Urinary System The urinary system consists of two kidneys, two ureters, a bladder, and a urethra.

Kidney The main organ of the urinary system

Ureter Drains urine from the renal pelvis into the urinary bladder

Bladder A muscular sac that holds urine produced by the kidneys

Urethra The tube that drains the bladder

Diseases and Disorders of the Urinary System The urinary system is critical to life.

Urinary Tract Infections An infection of any part of the urinary tract

Glomerulonephritis The inability of the glomerulus to function normally

Incontinence Uncontrollable or involuntary loss of urine

Nephrolithiasis Commonly called kidney stones

Polycystic Kidney Disease An inherited disorder characterized by the presence of grapelike clusters of fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys.

Renal Failure A condition in which the kidneys are not able to perform their function of filtering waste products from the blood and maintaining the balance of water, electrolytes, and other vital substances.

Diagnostic and Treatment- Related Procedures of the Urinary System Countless techniques are available to analyze, diagnose, and treat disorders of the urinary system.

Examination of the Urine Healthy urine is composed of 95% water.

Catheterization A procedure in which a small, sterile, flexible tube is inserted into the urethra and threaded to the bladder

Dialysis A process that filters the blood and removes harmful waste products when the kidneys are unable to perform this function

Structure and Function of the Male Reproductive System In both genders, the reproductive system produces, nourishes, and transports the cells required for reproduction.

Testes The two glands that produce sperm and male sex hormones

Epididymis The epididymis sits on top of the testes and is another large collection of tiny, coiled tubes.

Seminal Vesicles The seminal vesicles are muscular tubes that produce a thick secretion

Prostate Gland A donut-shaped muscular gland that surrounds the top of the urethra where it joins the bladder

Penis A vascular, muscular, cylindrical structure that surrounds the urethra

Diseases and Disorders of the Male Reproductive System Because the male urinary and reproductive systems are closely related, a disorder of one will likely affect the other.

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy Prostatic hypertrophy is the enlargement of the prostate gland.

Prostate Cancer A malignancy that starts in the prostate

Testicular Cancer A malignancy that begins in the testicles

Structure and Function of the Female Reproductive System Involves organs and cells responsible for conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation

Ovaries A pair of small organs in the pelvic cavity, located on either side of the uterus

Fallopian Tubes Extend approximately four inches from each side of the uterus

Uterus Sometimes called the womb, sits between the urinary bladder and the rectum

Vagina A muscular tube that extends from the uterus to the vulva

Vulva Includes the external female genitalia, including the clitoris, the labia minora, and labia majora

Mammary Glands In the breasts of the female, consist of lobes of connective tissue

Menstrual Cycle The process by which the lining of the uterus is shed and discharged from the body in the absence of pregnancy

Pregnancy Fertilization occurs following sexual intercourse if one sperm is able to penetrate the outer protective covering of an egg.

Diseases, Disorders, and Conditions of the Female Reproductive System Disorders related to menstruation and the structure and function of the female reproductive tract are common reasons that women seek medical care.

Cancers of the Female Reproductive System Cancers of the female reproductive system are, unfortunately, common.

Fibroids Uterine leiomyomas are more commonly referred to as fibroids

Premenstrual Syndrome A group of emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms that occur seven to 14 days before the onset of menses

Ovarian Cysts A fluid-filled or semisolid mass on an ovary

Sexually Transmitted Diseases A taboo subject in society, but they are still significant to urinary and reproductive health of both men and women

Chlamydia The most frequently reported STD in the United States

Gonorrhea This bacterium is fragile and survives only in moist, dark, warm areas.

Herpes An acute inflammatory condition of the genitals

Syphilis A highly contagious disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum

Summary The urinary system, also referred to as the genitourinary system, filters blood and removes waste products from the body through urine. The reproductive system is required to produce offspring. Both systems work closely together and are integrated with other body systems. The main organ of the urinary system is the kidney. Each kidney contains millions of nephrons, which are the basic functional unit of the kidney. The nephron is the site of filtration of the blood and reabsorption of water and electrolytes.