Urinary Reproductive Systems Flashcards
If the Kidney is dissected with a frontal plane - 3 regions are present
1) Cortex
2) Medulla
3) Pelvis
Renal Cortex
Superficial region
Renal Medulla
Inner region that has a pyramid shape
Renal Pelvis
Region that the calyxes and blood vessels are found
Renal columns
Extensions from the renal cortex, divide the interior region into cone-shaped sections
Renal Pyramids
Cone-shaped sections; consisting of tubules for transporting urine away from the cortex, the base of each pyramid face outwards towards the cortex. The point of the pyramid, called the RENAL PAPILLA, faces the hilum
Minor Calyx
The renal papilla extends into a cup called MINOR CALYX. The calyx collects urine leaving the papilla.
Major Calyx
Two or three minor calyces join together to form a major calyx.
Renal Pelvis
The major calyces converge to form the RENAL PELVIS, which receives urine from the major calyces. The renal pelvis continues as the URETER, a tube-like structure that channels urine to the urinary bladder.
Kidney - Nephron
- The nephrons are the structural and function unit of the kidney
- Lies in the kidney’s outer region, where they extend between the cortex and the medulla. Each nephron is well supplied with blood
- Each kidney contains over a 1 million nephrons
- The nephrons units are what filtered the blood and produce urine (Damage to the nephrons will cause kidney dysfunction)
- Nephrons are composed of two parts (Renal corpuscle, renal tubule and collecting duct)
Nephrons #1
In the cortex, a series of AFFERENT ARTERIOLES arise from the smaller arteries. Each afferent arteriole supplies blood to one nephron
Nephrons#2
Each afferent arteriole branches into a cluster of capillaries called a GLOMERULUS. The glomerulus is enclosed by BOWMAN’S CAPSULE.
Nephrons#3
Blood leaves the glomerulus through an EFFERENT ARTERIOLE
Nephrons#4
The efferent arteriole leads to a network of capillaries around the renal tubules called PERITUBULAR CAPILLARIES. These capillaries pick up water and solutes reabsorbed by the renal tubules.
Nephrons#5
Blood flows from the peritubular capillaries into larger and larger veins that eventually feed into the renal vein.
Nephrons#6
the collecting duct, drains the urine toward the renal pelvis where it is collected into the minor and major calyxes which then drains urine into the ureters.
The three processes to urine formation
1) Glomerular filtration
2) Tubular reabsorption
3) Tubular secretion
Urine Formation
These processes allow for the production of filtrate, for the necessary substances to be reabsorbed back into the blood stream and tubular secretion allows for larger items to be passed into the renal tubules for excretion within the urine.
Ureters
- After the nephrons produce and concentrate the urine, the fluid passes from the collecting duct into the minor calyxes to the major calyxes to the renal pelvis to the ureters
- The ureters are muscular tubes that transport the urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder
- Muscular tubes allow for urine to be transported no matter what position the body is in
- Peristaltic waves help propel urine from the renal pelvis toward the bladder.
Urinary Bladder
- A collapsible, muscular sac on the bottom of the pelvic floor that can store urine temporarily
- Just posterior to the pubic symphysis
- Bladder has three layers (smooth muscle) with the muscular layer being the thickest (Detrusor muscle)
Where do bladder infections mostly form?
The trigone area of the bladder is located on the inferior floor of the bladder and is formed from the two openings of the ureters and then the urethra opening, forming a triangle shaped area.
Internal Urethral sphincter
The point where the urethra leaves the bladder, a ring of smooth muscle forms. This sphincter contracts involuntarily to retain urine in the bladder.
External urinary sphincter
A second sphincter, exists where the urethra passes through the pelvic floor. This sphincter consists of skeletal muscle and is, therefore, under voluntary control
Urethra
a thin walled, muscular tube that conveys urine away from the bladder and out of the body. The opening of the urethra leading to the outside of the body is called the EXTERNAL URINARY MEATUS.
Male Reproduction System
- Testes
- Seminiferous tubules
- Epididymis
- Vas Deferens
- Seminal vesicle
- Prostate gland
- Bulbourethral gland
- Urethra
- Penis
Male Reproduction System
Located at the base of the bladder, a pair of SEMINAL VESICLES, (one for each vas deferens) secretes a thick, yellowish fluid into the ejaculatory duct. The fluid- which comprises about 60% of semen - contains fructose (an energy source for sperm motility) as well as other substances that nourish and ensure sperm motility
Prostate Gland
Sits just below the bladder, where it encircles both urethra and ejaculatory duct. It secreates a thin, milky fluid into the urethra; besides adding volume to semen (it comprises about 30% of the fluid portion of semen), the fluid also enhances sperm motility
Bulbourethral glands (also called Cowper’s glands)
Two pea-sized glands secrete a clear fluid into the penile portion of the urethra during sexual arousal. Besides serving as a lubricant for sexual intercourse, the fluid also neutralizes the acidity of residual urine in the urethra, which would harm the sperm.