The Urinary System Flashcards
Functions of the urinary system
The urinary system contributes to homeostasis by:
- Excreting wastes
- Altering blood composition, pH, volume, and pressure
- maintaining blood osmolarity; and producing hormones
Job of kidneys
The kidneys filter blood of wastes and excrete them into a fluid called urine (nitrogenous wastes).
Kidneys regulate blood volume and ionic composition;
Help regulate blood pressure, pH, osmolarity, and glucose levels;
Produce two hormones (calcitriol and erythropoietin)
Job of bladder
Urine passes through the ureters and is stored in the urinary bladder until it is excreted from the body through the urethra.
What are the waste products in urine filtered by the kidneys?
Urea and Ammonia - deamination of amino acids
Creatine - breakdown of creating phosphate
Uric acid - breakdown of nucleic acids
Urobilin - breakdown of hemoglobin
Kidneys help regulate which ions in the blood?
Na
K
Ca
Cl
HPO4
Why is the right kidney lower than the left?
Because the liver occupies considerable space on the right side superior to the kidney.
Describe the size of an adult kidney
10-12cm (4-5in) long, 5-7cm (2-3in) wide and 3cm (1in) thick. (About the size of a bar of soap).
The indentation in a kidney is called….?
the hilum of the kidney
What 3 tissue layers surround each kidney?
Fibrous capsule - the deep layer, smooth, transparent sheet of collagen rich connective tissue that is continuous with the outer coat of the ureter. [Serves as a barrier against trauma and helps maintain the shape of the kidney]
Perirenal fat capsule - A mass of fatty tissue surrounding the fibrous capsule
[Protects the kidney from trauma and holds it firmly in place within the abdominal cavity]
Renal fascia - The superficial layer, collagenous and elastic dense irregular connective tissue that anchors the kidney to the surrounding structures and to the abdominal wall.
The hilum is entrance for…
Renal artery
Renal vein
Ureter
Nerves
Lymphatics
