The Urinary System Flashcards
Kidneys
Filter large amounts of blood from the renal arteries and produce urine as waste
- Abdominal cavity, retroperitoneal (ureters too)
Urinary Bladder
Where the ureters transmit urine to
Urethra
Where urine passes out of the body from the urinary bladder
Perirenal Fat
Layer of adipose tissue connecting the kidneys
Renal Capsule
Outer covering of the kidneys connective tissue that provides the final layer of protection
Renal Cortex
Beneath the capsule and is the outer portion of the kidney
Medulla
Inner region of the kidney
Contains nephrons
Renal Pyramids
Discrete triangular segments that form the medulla
Renal Columns
Separate the triangular structures of the renal pyramids by inward extensions of cortex tissue
- concentrate urine
Nephrons
Kidney’s function units that filter and modify blood plasma
Minor Calyces
Where urine drains form the collecting ducts to
- Receive urine produced in one renal pyramid
Major Calyces
From minor calyces and converge to form the renal pelvis
Renal pelvis
Drains urine from major calyces and narrows to become the ureter
Ureter
Muscular tube that contracts in peristaltic waves to move urine to the urinary bladder
Detrusor Muscle
Smooth muscle of the urinary bladder that responds involuntarily to its walls’ streching
- as bladder fills, it contracts to expel urine
