URINARY SYSTEM Urinary System n n Function to

URINARY SYSTEM

Urinary System n n Function = to form and eliminate urine Consists of: n Two kidneys n n n n Organs of excretion Regulate body fluids’ composition, volume, and p. H Produce erythropoietin Produce renin Two ureters Urinary bladder Urethra

The Kidneys Located behind peritoneum in lumbar region n Adrenal glands rest on top n Outer region = renal cortex n Inner region = renal medulla n Nephrons: Microscopic working units of kidneys n

Urine Formation n n Blood pressure forces material through glomerular wall and capsule, into nephron Glomerular filtrate consists of: n n n Water Electrolytes Soluble wastes Nutrients Toxins Urea = main waste material (byproduct of protein metabolism)

Urine Formation (con’t) Waste material and toxins need to be eliminated n Water, electrolytes, nutrients returned to blood n Remaining fluid is urine n n Adjusted by pituitary hormone ADH

Removal of Urine n n n Urethra n n Drained from renal pelvis Carried by ureter to urinary bladder before release Expulses urine when bladder muscle contracts Sphincters n n n Regulate urination Upper has involuntary function Lower functions under conscious control

Clinical Aspects of the Urinary System n Infections of urinary tract n n Organisms usually enter through urethra Usually colon bacteria in feces UTI’s more common in females Cystitis produced

Infections (con’t) n Infections of kidney and renal pelvis Pyelonephritis n Symptoms include: n Dysuria n Bacteriuria n Pyuria n n Urethritis Inflammation of urethra n Associated with sexually transmitted diseases n

Glomerulonephritis Inflammation of kidney and glomeruli n Specifically occurs after immunologic reaction n Usually response to infection in another system n Symptoms: n Hypertension n Edema n Oliguria (passage of small amounts of urine) n

Dialysis n Hemodialysis = Cleansing of blood cleansed n n Passed over membrane surrounded by dialysate to remove unwanted substances Peritoneal dialysis = fluids introduced to peritoneal cavity Periodically withdrawn with waste products n Process repeated n

Urinary Stones (calculi) Called urinary lithiasis n Formed of calcium salts n May result from: n Dehydration n Infection n Abnormal urine p. H n Urinary stasis n Metabolic imbalances n

Urinalysis Simple, widely-used diagnosing process n Urine examined and tested for: n Color n Turbidity n Specific gravity n p. H level n Chemical components n Cells, crystals, or casts n