Urinary System Flashcards
What are the four main components of the urinary system?
Kidneys
Ureter
Urinary bladder
Urethra
Which kidney is higher?
Left
Where is the adrenal gland located?
Superior to both kidneys
What size is the typical adult kidney?
10x5x3cm
Weighs 150g
At what level do the renal artery and vein come from?
L1 vertebrae
11th and 12th ribs
What is the hilum?
Point of entry for renal artery and nerves
Point of exit for renal vein and ureter
How many renal pyramids are there and where are they found?
6-18 in renal medulla
What is the functional unit of the kidney?
Nephron
What are the two main components of the nephron?
Renal corpuscle
Renal tubule
What is the function of the renal corpuscle?
Production of filtrate
Consists of glomerulus and glomerular capsule
What is the function of the renal tubule?
Reabsorption of water
Secretion of ions, acids, drugs and toxins
By what other name is the nephron loop known?
Loop of Henle
Where are most nephrons found?
The cortex of the kidney (85%)
Where are the minority of nephrons found and what are they called?
Medulla (15%)
Juxtamedullary nephrons
Which areas of the urinary tract are responsible for urine transport, storage and elimination?
Minor and major calyces Renal pelvis Ureters Urinary bladder Urethra
What is the function of the ureteral openings?
Deliver urine into bladder
Slit like shape helps prevent backflow when bladder contracts
What are the three layers of the ureter wall?
Inner mucosa
Middle muscular
Outer connective tissue
What is the primary muscle of the bladder?
Detrusor muscle
How long are the male and the female urethra?
Male - 18-20cm
Female 3-5cm
Describe the external urethral sphincter
Circular band of skeletal muscle
Acts as valve
Voluntary control
Has resting muscle tone
