Urinary System

Question 1

What are the functions of the urinary system?

Answer 1

• Eliminates fluid
• Regulates blood pressure and volume
• Regulates electrolytes in blood
• Eliminates metabolic waste from blood
• Helps stabilize blood pH

Question 2

Where do the kidneys sit in reference to the digestive tract?

Answer 2

The kidneys sit in the retroperitoneal space (behind the digestive tract).

Question 3

What is the direction of urine flow from the kidney to the urethra?

Answer 3

Kidney –> Ureter -> Urinary Bladder -> Urethra

Question 4

Functions of the
- Kidney
- Ureter
- Urinary Bladder
- Urethra

Answer 4

Kidney: Produces urine
Ureter: Transports urine toward the urinary bladder
Urinary Bladder: Temporarily stores urine prior to elimination
Urethra: Conducts urine to exterior; in males also transports semen

Question 5

Are the kidneys covered by the ribs?

Answer 5

The kidneys are partially covered by the lowest ribs.

Question 6

What are the connective tissue layers protecting the kidneys?

Answer 6

• Fibrous capsule
• Perinephric fat
• Renal fascia

Question 7

What is the area where the kidneys join with the ureters, renal arteries and renal veins?

Answer 7

The hilum

Question 8

Describe the arrangement of the calyces and renal pelvis within the kidney.

Answer 8

Minor calyx-> Major calyx-> Renal pelvis-> Ureter

Question 9

Describe the process of renal circulation.

Answer 9

Renal artery
Segmental arteries
Interlobar arteries
Arcuate arteries
Cortical radiate arteries
Afferent arterioles
Glomerulus
Efferent arterioles
Peritubular capillaries
Venules
Cortical radiate veins
Arcuate veins
Interlobar veins
Renal vein

Question 10

What are the components of the nephron and collecting system in order?

Answer 10

Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)
Nephron Loop
Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT)
Connecting Tubules and Collecting Duct
Papillary Duct

Question 11

What is the purpose of the nephron?

Answer 11

Fundamental unit of filtration.
Contains the renal corpuscle with glomerular capillaries and glomerular capsule; renal tubule

Question 12

What are the main parts of the nephron?

Answer 12

Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)
Nephron Loop
Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT)

Question 13

What is the smooth muscle in the bladder wall?

Answer 13

Detrusor.

Question 14

What is the internal urethral sphincter?

Answer 14

Smooth muscle, involuntary contraction.

Question 15

What is the external urethral sphincter?

Answer 15

Skeletal muscle, voluntary contraction.

Question 16

Aging and the Urinary System

Answer 16

Age-related problems
- Number of functional nephrons decreases by 30-40% between 25-85 yrs of age
- Reduced sensitivity to ADH
Micturition problems
- Urethral sphincters lose muscle tone leading to incontinence
The ability to control micturition decreases
- Due to stroke/Alzheimer’s, etc
Urinary retention leading to infections
- Enlarged prostate reduces urine flow