Urinary Tract Flashcards
urinary tract consists of
ureters, urinary bladder, urethra
ureters
- originate at renal pelvis at the hilum of the kidney
- enter base of urinary bladder at its posterolateral wall
urinary bladder
- store urine
- detrusor muscle (muscularis) wall of urinary bladder
urethra
fibromuscular tube originating at urinary bladder that conducts urine to the exterior of the body, smooth muscle helps propel urine
two sphincters help control release of urine
- internal urethral sphincter: base of bladder, smooth muscle, involuntary
- external urethral sphincter: skeletal muscle, voluntary
external urethral orifice
opening of urethra
sex differences of urethra
- female: urethra transports only urine
- male: urethra has urinary and reproductive functions
3 segments of male urethra
- prostatic urethra: surrounded by prostate gland
- membranous urethra: short segment through urogential diaphragm
- spongy urethra: long segment through erectile tissue of penis
micturition
expulsion of urine from the bladder
process of emptying bladder
- extension of bladder excites its stretch receptors which signal spinal cord’s reflex center
- parasympathetic signals are sent to internal urethral sphincter (to relax it) and detrusor muscle (to excite it)
- voluntary relaxation of external urethral sphincter required
- abdominal muscle contraction also helps empty bladder
urinalysis
analyzes the composition of urine to aid in determining health status of the body
normal urine
- pH: 4.6-8.0
- 95% water
- 5% solutes, including:
- electrolytes
- nitrogenous waste
- urochromes - pigments that give urine its yellow color
- hormones: present if levels are high in the blood
abnormal urine findings
- blood in urine or damaged kidney or lining
- glucose: too high of levels in blood
- albumin: damaged glomerulus
- bacteria: urinary tract infection
kidney stones
hard objects formed in kidneys
calcium stones
most common, most due to insufficient fluid intake
kidney stones can..
block urine flow out of kidney or can become lodged in ureter
treatment for kidney stones
- wait for stone to pass
- lithotripsy: laser, break down stone
- surgery
urinary incontinence
inability to prevent discharge of urine
causes of urinary incontinence
- mechanical stress: increased pressure causes leakages
- urgency/overactive bladder: uncontrolled contractions of detrusor muscle cause urge to urinate and urine leakage
