Genitourinary System Flashcards
What is the function of the genitourinary system?
Responsible for removing toxins, waste, and water from the body as well as maintaining the blood pressure and pH
What organs/structures make up the genitourinary system?
Kidney
Ureters
Urinary bladder
Urethra
What is the function of the kidneys?
Filter blood to remove waste products
Maintain fluid balance
Produce urine
What is the ureter?
Ducts by which urine passes from the kidney to the bladder
What is the urinary bladder?
The hollow muscular organ that store urine prior to its being expelled from the body
What is the urethra?
The duct through which urine is expelled and, in males, semen flows to exit the body
Are female urethras shorter than mens?
Yes
What is the functional unit of the kidney? (Function)
Nephron
-blood filtration, reabsorption, maintain homeostasis in the circulatory system
What feeds the kidneys blood?
Renal arteries
-carries blood directly from the heart via abdominal aorta
What is the glomerulus?
A cluster of porous capillaries through which blood components are filtered into the nephron
What structure surrounds the glomerulus?
Bowman’s capsule
What is the function of the renal corpuscle?
The blood filtering portion of the nephron comprised of the glomerulus and bowman’s capsule
Which arteriole enters the glomerulus?
Afferent arteriole
Which arteriole exits the glomerulus?
Efferent arteriole
What is the function of the renal tubule?
Part of the nephron where blood components are reabsorbed into the blood stream
What is urea?
Metabolic waste product excreted in urine
What is the function of the adrenal glands?
Secrete hormones that regulate blood pressure and fluid balance
-response to decrease in blood pressure to retain fluid balance
What are the renal hormones that regular blood pressure?
Renin
Angiotensin
ADH (vasopressin)
Aldosterone
What triggers the release of renin? (Function)
Trigger:decrease blood pressure
Function: activates angiotensin; increases secretion of ADH and aldosterone
What triggers the release of angiotensin (function)?
Trigger: activated by renin
Function: constricts anteriolar blood vessels; increases reabsorption of Na+ and Cl- and water retention in the renal tubules; stimulates ADH secretion
What triggers the release of ADH? (Function)
Trigger: decreased blood volume; increased osmolality of blood
Function: prevents fluid loss to maintain blood volume by increasing reabsorption of water from renal tubules and collecting ducts
What triggers the release of aldosterone? (Function)
Trigger: decreased blood pressure; increased K+ levels
Function: increases reabsorption of Na+ from the renal tubules, causing more water to be reabsorbed via osmosis
