Urinary System Flashcards
Describe the function of the Urinary System.
- eliminates dissolved organic waste
- regulates blood volume and pressure by the release of hormones
- maintains plasma ion concentrations
List the organs of the urinary system and their functions.
- kidneys - forms urine
- ureters - transports urine to the bladder
- bladder - stores urine prior to urination
- urethra - where urine exits the body
What two parts can the kidney be divided into?
outer cortex and the inner medulla
Where in the kidney does urine production occur?
renal pyramids
What connects the kidney to the ureter?
renal pelvis
Define nephron.
filtration begins the start of urine production
Define glomerulus.
Capillary knot located inside the nephron where fluid and dissolved solutes are forced out of the blood.
What happens to the filtrate travelling in the convoluted tubules?
- ions added and removed
- water being excreted and reabsorbed
- amino acids and glucose are picked back up and put back in circulation
- end result is urine
What is the Loop of Henle?
The part of the nephron that dips down into the renal medulla. Water is removed.
Define Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR).
the amount of filtrate produced by the kidneys each minute average is 125mL/minute 50 gallons produced a day, 99% of this is reabsorbed
List the metabolic waste products removed by the kidneys from the blood.
- urea
- creatinine
- uric acid
How do the kidneys help maintain acid/base balance?
Renal compensation. Kidney tubules secrete and absorb hydrogen and bicarbonate ions in response to changes in filtrate pH.
Name the hormones that affect the kidneys.
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) - stimulates reabsorption of water in the kidneys and causes the sensation of thirst
- Aldosterone - stimulates the reabsorption of sodium ions and the secretion of potassium ions in the kidney
- Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) - decreases the rate of sodium ion absorption, increases GFR, inhibits the release of ADH, aldosterone, and renin
Define how the kidneys function in maintaining normal blood volume and pressure.
Releases hormones renin and erythropoietin which starts the Renin Angiotensin System
Describe the function of proteins in capillary blood pressure.
At the venous ends of the capillaries the blood is richer in proteins. Water is pulled into the venous capillaries through osmosis because of this.
