Urinary System

Question 1

function of urinary system

Answer 1

Regulate extracellular fluids (plasma, lymph) of the body by removing a variety of harmful substances while retaining useful products.

Question 2

harmful substances to urinary system

Answer 2

Nitrogenous wastes.

Electrolytes (Na, K, Ca).

Question 3

kidneys- where are they located and what does it look like

Answer 3

One pair.
Each, size of a fist.
Located in abdominal cavity, below waistline.
Kidney-bean-like shape.

Question 4

2 sections of kidneys

Answer 4

Renal cortex (outer portion).

Renal medulla (middle portion).
Contains portions of the microscopic filtering units of kidney, called nephrons.

Question 5

nephron

Answer 5

1 million microscopic nephrons in each kidney.
Responsible for maintaining homeostasis by regulating amount of water, salts, glucose, urea & other minerals.
Substances removed are: nitrogenous wastes, including urea, uric acid, creatinine from protein metabolism.
Also remove: Excess electrolytes and other products that exceed tolerance levels by the body.
Contains many structures for filtration.
Each nephron is composed of a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule.
Renal corpuscle composed of a tuft of capillaries called glomerulus. Site of much filtration.

Question 6

hilium (hilus)

Answer 6

Opening in the medial border of each kidney.

Allows passage of the renal artery and vein.

Question 7

renal artery and vein

Answer 7

Renal artery carries blood containing waste products to the nephrons for filtering.
Renal vein carries blood that has been filtered away from the kidneys and back to the body.

Question 8

renal pelvis

Answer 8

Hollow, funnel-shaped chamber.

Extension of the ureter, where ureter meets kidney.

Question 9

renal pyramids

Answer 9

Transportsurine from the outer, part of the kidney, where urine is produced, to the calyces to enter the renal pelvis to leave the kidney

Question 10

renal columns

Answer 10

Allows the cortex to be better anchored

Each column consists of lines of blood vessels and urinary tubes

Question 11

urter

Answer 11

Slender tube from each kidney.
10-12 inches long.
Carries urine from kidneys to bladder.
Enters back base of bladder.

Question 12

urinary bladder

Answer 12

Expandable, hollow, organ.

Temporary reservoir for urine.

Question 13

urethra

Answer 13

Tube that discharges urine from the bladder.
1.5 inches long in women.
7-8 inches long in men.
In male, urethra passes through the prostate gland & penis.

Question 14

cystitis

Answer 14

Aka: Bladder Infection or Urinary Tract Infection.
Cause: Bacteria.
S&S: Fever, chills, painful urination, blood in urine.
Tx: Antibiotics, drink lots of fluids.
Prevention: Women wipe front to back, urinate after intercourse; good hygiene, good diet, drink lots of water.

Question 15

pyelonephritis

Answer 15

Aka: Kidney Infection or Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection.
Most common form of kidney disease.
Cause: Bacteria; often from untreated bladder infection.
S&S: Fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, blood in urine, back pain.
Urinalysis reveals: Bacteriuria, pyuria, and hematuria.
Tx: Antibiotics

Question 16

nephrolithiasis

Answer 16

Formation of stones in the urinary tract.
Most commonly found in kidneys.
Form when dissolved urine salts solidify.
S&S: Pain, difficulty urinating, blood in urine, nausea, vomiting.
Tx: ESWL (extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy) – Stones are pulverized by concentrated ultrasound waves, or sound waves directed at the stones.
Tx: Surgical removal of stone.

Question 17

bladder neck obstruction

Answer 17

Any blockage of the bladder outlet.
Causes: Enlarged prostate gland, masses, stones, blood clots, tumours.
S&S: Bladder distension, cystitis; need to void, but can only void small quantities.
Tx: Surgery to remove, or relieve blockage.

Question 18

anuria

Answer 18

Absence of urine production or urinary output.

Question 19

dysuria

Answer 19

Painful or difficult urination.

Question 20

enuresis

Answer 20

Involuntary discharge of urine. Aka: Incontinence.

Question 21

nocturia

Answer 21

Excessive or frequent urination after going to bed.

Question 22

oliguria

Answer 22

Diminished ability to form & pass urine so that the end products of metabolism cannot be excreted efficiently.

Question 23

wilms tumour

Answer 23

Malignant neoplasm of the kidney.
Usually occurs in children.
Rapidly developing.
S&S:  Painful urination, electrolyte imbalance, pain in back; many S&S throughout body.
Tx:  Surgery, chemo, radiation.
Early tx is critical.

Question 24

chronic renal failure

Answer 24

Kidney failure that occurs over a period of years.
Due to decreased numbers of functioning nephrons in the kidneys.
Tx: Hemodialysis = Removal of toxic substances from the blood by shunting blood from the body through a semipermeable membranous tube, and returning the cleansed blood back to the body.