Renal System Flashcards
What are the key components of the renal system? (5 things)
Kidneys - filter blood, remove waste, balance electrolytes
Ureters - slim tubes that move urine from the kidneys to the bladder
Bladder - hollow muscular organ that holds urine
Urethra - tube for urine expulsion
Sphincter muscle - controls release of urine from the bladder
What is a nephron?
a functional kidney unit responsible for filtration and urine production
What is the role of a nephron?
Maintain fluid balance
Regulate blood PH (7.4) by adjusting urine acidity / alkalinity
Remove waste products like urea
Regulate blood pressure via aldosterone
How is urine formed
Filtration - plasma filtered in to the glomerulus
Reabsorption - useful substances reabsorbed in to the blood
Excretion - excess water, toxins, waste eliminated as urine
What are UTI’s
Urinary Tract Infections (water infections)
More common in women due to shorter urethra
causes burning pain, frequent and urgent need to wee
If left untreated can lead to kidney infections
What is renal failure
Kidney failure
Caused by hypertension (high blood pressure), infections, drug use
Symptoms include reduced urine output, swelling, fatigue
Severe cases can cause confusion and coma.
Treatments are kidney dialysis and transplant
