T3 L12 Function of lower urinary tract Flashcards
What structures are involved in the passage of tubular fluid out of the kidneys & body via the urinary tract?
Ureters
Urinary bladder
Urethra
What processes are used to generate tubular fluid within the nephron?
Filtration
Reabsorption
Secretion
Where does the tubular fluid exit the collecting duct at?
At the tip of the renal pyramid (pelvis)
What leads to the renal pelvis?
Minor & major calyxes
Wha triggers peristaltic contractions at the hilus?
Distention
Pacemaker cells are activated by stretch
Describe the structure of the ureters
30cm long tubes
Mucosal layer
Supported by layers of smooth muscle
Lumen has folds in the relaxed state which dilate out when the peristaltic wave & pulse of urine pass through ureter
Describe the mucosal layer of the ureters
Transitional epithelium
3-8 cells thick
Impermeable to urine
What layers of smooth muscle are present in the ureter?
Inner: longitudinal muscles
Outer: circular/spiral muscles
Extra outer layer of longitudinal muscle
What is the function of the ureters?
Dilation of renal pelvis generates an action potential from the pacemaker cells in the hilum
Peristaltic waves are generated at 1-6 per minute
What modulates the rate of peristaltic contractions?
Parasympathetic nervous system enhances 5-6 waves per min
Sympathetic nervous system inhibits to slow waves in times of stress
What are peristaltic contractions?
Similar to those in GI tract 1) Longitudinal muscle contracts 2) Circular muscle relaxes 3) Longitudinal muscle relaxes 4) Bolus can form 5) Circular muscle contraction 6) Pushes against bolus Pattern of contraction results in slow, progressive movement of a pulse of urine
Describe the entrance of ureters into the bladder
Ureters attach to posterior wall & pass through at an oblique angle for 2-3 cm into bladder
Ureter openings are slit like
What is the structure of the urinary bladder
Hollow muscular organ with funds & neck
Outer detrusor muscle layer
Inner mucosal layer
Trigone
What is the trigone?
Triangular sheet of muscle bounded by the openings of the ureters & entrance to urethra
Acts as a funnel
Describe the inner mucosal layer of the urinary bladder
Transitional epithelium
Folded into rugae when bladder is empty
Highly elastic
What is the function of the urinary bladder?
Temporary store of urine - holds up to 1L
Stimulated to contract by parasympathetic nervous system
What are the 2 sphincters controlling the exit of urine?
Internal urethral sphincter
External urethral sphincter
What is the internal urethral sphincter?
Loop of smooth muscle Convergence of detrusor muscle Under involuntary control Normal tone keeps neck of bladder &. urethra free from urine Impacted in incontinence
What is the external urethral sphincter?
Circular band of skeletal muscle where urethra passes through urogenital diaphragm
Acts as a valve with resting muscle control
Under voluntary control
Voluntary relaxation permits micturition
Damaged in childbirth
Describe the urethra in females
Opens via external urethral orifice between clitoris & vagina
Shorter urethra - higher risk of UTIs
External sphincter is not as well developed
Describe the urethra in males
Passes through prostate gland & through urogenital diaphragm & penis
Longer urethra
Describe prostate gland enlargement
Occurs in 50% of males above 60
Occurs along with hypertrophy of detrusor muscle
May require surgical or hormonal treatment
What are the 2 stages in emptying the bladder?
1) Bladder fills until pressure within bladder reaches a threshold level
2) Elicits micturition reflex which produces a conscious desire to urinate
What inhibits the autonomic reflex?
Higher centres in the brain inhibit the micturition reflex
Prevents micturition be stimulating continual tonic contraction of external sphincter