Urinary System Flashcards
Pyel/o
Ureter/o
Renal pelvis
Ureter
Vesic/o
Urin/o
Urinary bladder
Urine, urinary tract
Kal/i
Urethr/o
Potassium
Urethra
Cyst/o
Az/o
Urinary bladder
Urea, nitrogen
Ren/o
Nephr/o
Kidney
Ur/o
Urine, urinary tract
What is A and what is its structure and function?
Kidney
- S = bean-shaped organ, the size of a fist. Kidneys are retroperitoneal and the right kidney sits more inferior
- F = filter metabolic wastes out of blood to forming urine, secrete erythropoietin (hormone for RBC formation), produce renin (BP regulation), metabolise Vit D to its active form
What is B and what is its structure and function?
Ureter
- S = tubes consisting of a fibrous outer layer, smooth muscle and mucous membrane that connect the kidneys to the bladder
- F = to transport urine from the renal pelvis (kidney) to the bladder via peristalsis
What is C and what is its structure and function?
Bladder
- S = a distensible muscular sac (can contract and relax) which contains a detrusor muscle (allows it to contract to empty) and transitional epithelium (allows it to expand). Sphincters control the release of urine.
- F = to store urine prior to voiding (urination)
What is D and what is its structure and function?
Urethra
- S = muscular tube that extends from the bladder to the outside of the body, surrounded by sphincters (male is longer, runs within the prostate gland and transports both urine and semen whereas female is shorter, only transports urine)
- F = to excrete urine from bladder to outside of the body
What are the main functions of the urinary system?
- Filter out waste, toxins and excess water from the blood, and excrete it through urine
- Regulate fluid balance and electrolytes (BP)
- Regulate pH (homeostasis)
- Stimulate RBC production
What happens to the bladder as people age?
Bladder capacity and tone decrease, leading to incontinence (leakage of urine) and more frequent micturition (urination)
Why are UTIs more common in females?
External orifice of the urinary tract is closer to the anal opening > risk of bacteria transfer
How to maintain a healthy urinary system
- Urinate after sex to remove bacteria
- Wipe front to back to avoid bacterial transfer (females)
- Change underwear regularly
- Regularly do pelvic floor exercises (specific to urinary system)
What is C and what is its function?
Renal artery
- To transport oxygenated blood away from the heart, to the kidney
What is D and what is its function?
Renal vein
- To transport deoxygenated blood from the kidney to the heart
What is F and what is its function?
Renal pelvis
- Stores urine before sending it to the bladder via the ureters
What is B and what is its function?
Medulla
- Regulates concentration of urine
What is A and what is its function?
Cortex
- Outer layer that protects medulla and renal pelvis
Structure and function of a nephron
- S = microscopic structural and functional unit of the kidney
- F = filter blood and reabsorb needed substances into the blood
What is F and what is its function?
Proximal convoluted tubule
- Selective reabsorption of substances (water, glucose, amino acids, salts) from the glomerular filtrate back into the blood, based on need
NB can be passive or active depending on conc grad
What is A and what is its function?
Afferent arteriole
- To deliver blood to the glomerulus for filtration