Learning Objectives 8: Urinary System Flashcards
What are the 3 functions of the urinary system? What 2 things does the kidneys help regulate in the body?
The functions of the urinary system are to filter blood, remove water/toxins from the body and produce urine
The kidneys help regulate water balance and acid-base balance in the body
Where in the body are the kidneys located? Why is the right kidney slightly lower than the left?
The kidneys are located on the posterior abdominal wall, and the right is lower than the left because the large liver pushes down on the right one
Identify and describe the 9 major structures of the urinary system
Kidney
either of the pair of organs responsible for the excretion of nitrogenous wastes, principally urea, from the blood
Adrenal glands
two triangular endocrine glands, each of which covers the superior surface of a kidney. They produce three kinds of corticosteroid hormones, which affect carbohydrate metabolism (e.g. cortisol), electrolyte metabolism (e.g. aldosterone), and the sex glands (oestrogens and androgens).
renal artery
either of two large arteries arising from the abdominal aorta and supplying the kidneys
abdominal aorta
The part of the descending aorta below the diaphragm
renal vein
A large vein that drains blood from the kidney and empties into the inferior vena cava; the renal veins lie on top of (anterior to) the renal arteries.
inferior vena cava
One of the two main veins, conveying deoxygenated blood from the other veins to the right atrium of the heart. It is formed by the union of the right and left common iliac veins, and receives blood from parts of the body below the diaphragm.
ureter
either of a pair of tubes, 25–30 cm long, that conduct urine from the pelvis of kidneys to the bladder.
urinary bladder
a sac-shaped organ that has a wall of smooth muscle and stores the urine produced by the kidneys
urethra
the tube that conducts urine from the bladder to the exterior
Where is perirenal fat located? What is its function?
Perirenal fat is located around the kidneys. Its function is to anchor the kidneys to the abdominopelvic wall and to provide structural reinforcement to the kidneys
What term is used to describe the inner center of the kidney? What term is used to describe the outer layer of the kidney?
The inner center of the kidney is referred to as the medulla, and the outer layer is referred to as the cortex
When urine is produced, where does it collect before entering the ureter?
Urine is produced in the kidneys. After production urine is collected in the urinary bladder before entering the ureter
What does it mean if a structure or group of structures is a “functional unit” of an organ?
The functional unit of an organ is the smallest structure that can carry out the functions of the organ
What is a nephron?
a nephron is the functional unit of the kidney
What is a glomerulus? What is its function?
The glomerulus is a ball of capillary beds that filters blood in the nephron. They have specialized cells that act as a sieve to filter blood
What is the difference between sex and gender?
Sex is a series of physical characteristics based on genetics, chromosomes, and gonads
Chromosomal sex= an individual’s combination of sex chromosomes (x and y chromosomes)
gonadal sex= which gonads (sexual organs; testes (M) or ovaries (F)) an individual has
phenotypic sex: an individual’s reproductive anatomic structures
Gender
the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex
What is normal intersex variation?
The spectrum of normal variation of sexual structures
How are the male and female urinary systems different?
Males have a longer urethra than females and a prostate gland that surrounds the urethra
females have a shorter urethra and no prostate gland
What causes UTI’s? What sex is more susceptible to UTI’s? Why? What signs and symptoms of UTI’s? How are UTI’s treated?
UTIs (urinary tract infections) are caused by bacterial infections anywhere along the urinary tract.
Females are more susceptible to UTIs due to the proximity of the anus (tends to have more bacteria) to the urethra in the anatomy and a shorter urethra length.
Some signs and symptoms of UTIs are the urge to urinate with no urine, a burning sensation while urinating, cloudy/bloody urine, and a frequent but small amount of urine
UTIs are treated using antibiotics
What are kidney stones composed of? How are they treated?
Kidney stones are composed of mineral and acid salts, and they can be treated by percutaneous nephrolithotomy or percutaneous nephrolithotripsy
What is the difference between a nephrolithotomy and a nephrolithotripsy?
nephrolithotomy: incision of a kidney stone
nephrolithotripsy: crushing of a kidney stone
Percutaneous=pertaining to through the skin (these procedures are done through an incision made in the skin)
