Intro to Urinary System Flashcards
What four structures are part of the urinary system?
- Kidneys
- Ureters
- Urinary bladder
- Urethra
Why is the urinary system important?
- Removes metabolic waste via filtration and excretion
- Regulates plasma electrolytes and blood pressure
- Stabilises the pH
- Resorption of small molecules - AA, Glc
- Produces erythropoietin (stimulant of RBC production)
How are the kidneys peritonised?
Retroperitonised, but partially because organs lie across it
What are the important structures within the kidney?
Interior arranged into outer cortex layer and inner medulla.
- Medulla
- Pyramid
- Papilla
- Minor calyx
- Major calyx
- Pelvis
- Ureter
What are the different constrictions of the ureter?
- Ureter passes over inferior renal pole (abdominal)
- Ureter cross over external iliac vessels (pelvic)
- Ureter traverses the bladder wall (intramural)
How are vessels arranged at the hilum of the kidneys?
Front to back:
Vein -> artery -> renal pelvis
How do you renal arteries branch after they enter the hilum of the kidneys?
- Segmental branches (x5)
- Interlobar
- Arcuate branches pass around the circumference
- Intralobular branches which ultimately supply each nephron
What is the lymphatic drainage of the kidneys?
Lateral aortic lymph nodes
What is the nerve supply to the kidneys?
Renal plexus:
o Sympathetic: T10-L1 and coeliac plexus
o Sensory afferent: T11-L2
What is the epithelium of the bladder?
Transitional epithelium
What is the peritonisation of bladder?
Only superior surface is covered
What is the epithelium of the urethra?
Stratified columnar epithelium
What is the nerve supply of the urethra?
- Somatic supply to pelvic organs – pudenal nerve (S2, 3, 4)
- Sympathetic nerves control neck of bladder to allow urine flow – hypogastric nerve (T12-L2)
- Pelvis splanchnic nerve (S2, 3, 4 ) to the muscle around bladder, contracts to squeeze urine out
- Bladder full -> sympathetic neck and parasympathetic contracts
As the urethra is also an exit route for semen in males, how does it not end up mixing with urine?
Parasympathetic nerves constrict internal sphincter
What are the four parts of the male urethra?
- Pre-prostatic (intramural) - internal urethral orifice
- Prostatic - passes through prostate gland + contains opening of vas deferens
- Membranous
- Spongy