Excretory System Review Flashcards
What is the main function of the excretory system?
Removing liquid wastes from the body
What organs are associated with JUST the excretory system? What substance does each excrete?
Skin- Sweat (water and salt)
Lungs- water
Liver- Urea
What substances are part of both excretory and urinary system? What does each excrete?
Kidneys- urea, water
Ureter
Bladder
urethra
What are the three parts to a kidney?
Pelvis, medulla, cortex
What word refers to kidneys in biology?
Renal
What is the approximate size of a kidney?
~Computer mouse
Define homeostasis.
To maintain balance
How does the urinary system maintain balance?
Osmoregulation- maintaining homeostasis through water balance
What are the functions of the urinary system?
- Waste management
- Regulate water and liquid levels in blood
- Regulate a proper ph
Micturition?💧
Urination
Describe the ureters.
Two collapsible tubes that move urine by peristalsis from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. The ureters have valves to prevent back flow.
(Half the size of esophagus)
Describe the bladder.
- Muscular sac for temporary storage of urine.
- walls are made of rugae (for sizing)
- Can hold 500ml comfortably.
- 1000ml total in adult.
Describe the urethra.
- Short tube with an involuntarily controlled sphincter leading urine out of the body.
- Brain maturation allows humans to voluntarily control the sphincter.
What does normal urine look like? (Colour, turbidity, smell)
Clear
Pale yellow
Nutty smell
What are three things that can be revealed from a chemstix urine sample?
- possible diseases
- drugs in system
- hydration levels
List three abnormal colours for urine and what they might mean?
Orange- extreme dehydration
Red- bleeding in urinalysis tract (possible cancer)
Clear- too much water
What might a urine sample be taken? (3)
- identify conditions
- Routine physical
- Drug tests
What is Dialysis?
A machine that filters ones blood when their kidneys are unable to. ~3-4 hours every couple days is typically needed for someone with kidney issues.
What are kidney stones?
Hard deposits of minerals and slats that crystallize and form in the kidney. This causes huge amounts of pain when the stone makes its way through the urinary system.
Where does a transplanted kidney go?
By the groin.
The old kidney will shrivel up to size of walnut over time.
What is ADH, what does it do?
Antidiuretic hormone: released by pituitary gland into the blood that tells the kidneys to reabsorbed water, which creates less urine.
What are the effects of excessive caffeine and or alcohol consumption on kidneys?
Inhibits ADH, which leads to dehydration and more urination, but less absorption.
Where are the kidneys located?
Back of abdominal cavity, either side of spine.
What happens when excretory system organs are damaged?
Body tissues fill with waste products and swelling can occur.
(Death)😵…. maybe
What organ is most urea made in?
Liver
Liver cells
What does specific gravity indicate in a urine sample?
Concentration of solutes in urine
