Question | Answer |
Functions of urinary system | Elimination of waste products, regulate aspects of homeostasis. |
Organs of the urinary system | Kidneys
Ureters
Urinary Bladder
Urethra |
Location of the Kidneys | Against the dorsal body wall. The right kidney is slightly lower than the left (due to position of the liver). |
Purpose of adipose capsule | Holds kidney in place while acting as a cushion and protecting the kidneys from any harmful blows or injuries. |
Normal/ Abnormal urine contains... | Normal - Sodium, potassium ions, urea, uric acid, creatine, ammonia, bicarbonate ions.
Abnormal - Glucose, blood proteins, red blood cells, hemoglobin, white blood cells (pus), bile. |
Pigment of urine | Yellow color due to the pigment urochrome (from the destruction of hemoglobin) and sodium. |
Describe urine - in terms of medical diagnosis | Sterile, slightly aromatic, normal pH of around 6, specific gravity of 1.001 to 1.035 |
Purpose of bladder - made of what type of muscle | Temporary storage tank for urine; Three layers of smooth muscle collectively called the destusor muscle; smooth, collapsible, muscular sac. |
What does trigone refer to? | Triangular region of the bladder base. 3 regions of the bladder: urethra at the bottom, two ureters on either side. |
Describe the urethra, (2) sphincters, which are voluntary/involuntary - type of muscle | Urethra - Thin walled tube that carries urine from bladder to the outside of body by peristalsis.
2 sphincters
Internal urethra sphincter: Involuntary, made of smooth muscle.
External urethra sphincter: Voluntary, made of skeletal muscle. |
Gender difference associated with the urethra | Males are longer (8 inches) and also allow the passage of sperm.
Women are about 1.5 inches long and are more prone to UTI due to length. |
Normal amount of water in the human body | Young Adult Female: 50%
Young Adult Males: 60%
Babies: 75%
Elderly: 45% |
Distribution of body fluid: what % comes from where? | Intracellular Fluid (ICF): Fluid inside cells, about 2/3 of body fluid.
Extracellular Fluid (ECF): Fluid outside cell, interstital fluid, blood plasma.
W/male ICF=40%, ECF=20% Interstital 20% Plasma 80% |
Maintaining water balance: source for water intake/source of water output | Intake: ingested food & fluids, water produced from enetabolic processes.
Output: Vaporization out of the lungs, lost in perspiration, leaves the body in the feces, urine production. |
Purpose of ADH | Prevents excessive water loss in urine, causes the kidneys collecting ducts to reabsorb more water. |
Blood pH: Acidosis/ alkalosis | Acidosis: pH below 7.35
Alkalosis: pH above 7.45 |
How is pH maintained - mechanisms | Most acid-base balance is maintained by the kidneys, other acid-base controlling systems: Blood buffers, respiration. |
Developmental aspects of the urinary system | *Functional kidneys are developed by the third month
~urinary system of a new born
*bladder is small
*urine cannot be concentrated for first 2 months
*void 5 to 40 times per day |
Aging and urinary system | Progressive decline in urine function, the bladder shrinks and loses bladder tone with aging. |
Nephron | Structural, functioning unit of the kidney |
3 phases of the urine formation process | Filtration: water and solubles filtered through kidney.
Reabsorption: taking back the good things.
Secretion: riding the body of toxins, drugs, and wastes |
Examples of materials not reabsorbed | Toxins, drugs, and other wastes. |