Anatomy and Histology of the Urinary System Flashcards
What structures comprise the urinary system?
Kidneys
Ureters
Urinary bladder
Urethra
What are the main roles of the urinary system?
Removes metabolic waste from blood by filtration and excretion
Regulates blood pressure
Helps to stabilise pH
Produces eyrthropoietin
Reabsorption of small molecules
Conserves valuable nutrients
Regulates plasma concentrations of electrolytes
What level do the kidneys sit?
T12-L3
How are the kidneys peritonised?
Retroperitoneal
What are the posterior relations of the kidneys?
12th rib
Subcostal nerve
Iliohypogastric nerve
Ilioinguinal nerve
What are the surrounding tissues of the kidneys working distally?
Kidney Renal capsule Perirenal fat Renal fascia Pararenal fat
What does the renal artery bifurcate into?
5 segmental branches
Where do the renal veins drain into?
Inferior vena cava
How is the urinary bladder peritonised?
Retroperitoneal (only superior surface)
What are the arteries of the urinary bladder?
Renal
Ovarian/testicular
What do the veins of the urinary bladder drain into?
Renal
Ovarian/testicular
What role does sympathetic innervation play in the urinary bladder?
Constricts internal urethral sphincter
What role does parasympathetic innervation play in the urinary bladder?
Motor to detrusor muscle
What is the major urethral difference between genders?
Females do not have an internal urethral sphincter
What are the different parts of the urethra in males?
Intramural (preprostatic)
Prostatic
Intermediate (membranous)
Spongy (penile)
