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October 30, 2014

Dr. J. Williams
Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 Lab
8 10:50 pm
Urinary System Physiology

The urinary system is the organ system in which waste is removed from the
body. The major function of the urinary system is to not only remove excess metabolic
waste and chemicals but to assist with maintaining the bodys homeostasis by keeping
the composition, pH and the amount of bodily fluids in their normal ranges as well.
Another function of the urinary system is to excrete things such as drugs or other toxins
that can be harmful to the body if there for too long. These functions are important
because if the wrong things remain in the body for too long death could occur.
The major organs of this system are: kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and
urethra. The glandular kidneys are a bean shaped organ whose main function is to filter
wastes, ions and other chemicals from the blood in order the make urine. The kidneys
also help control the rate of RBC formation, because they excrete erythropoietin; they
regulate blood pressure, because they excrete renin; and they also regulate the
absorption of calcium ions. Each ureter is a tubular organ that carries the urine from the
kidneys to the urinary bladder. The bladder is a urine reservoir; it collects urine from the
ureters and holds it until it is emptied. In order to prevent leakage, the sphincters close
tightly around the opening of the bladder into the urethra. The urethra is the very last
part of the urine system. The urethra is a tube that allows urine to pass outside the
body.
The kidneys maintain homeostasis in two major ways. The first is through
releasing hormones to maintain blood pressure. The other is through modifying sodium
and electrolyte equilibriums to keep the proper amount fluid in the body.
Butler, Jackie, Ricki Lewis and David Shier. 2013. Holes Human Anatomy & Physiology.
The McGraw-Hill Companies, New York. Pp. 768 - 793
Mangusan Jr., David. 2010. Organs of the Urinary System.
http://www.kidneyhealthcare.com/2010/02/organs-of-urinary-system-and-their.html.
Retrieved on October 30, 2014.
Nall, Rachel. 2013. Two Ways the Kidneys Maintain Homeostasis.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/345745-two-ways-that-the-kidneys-maintainhomeostasis/. Retrieved on October 30, 2014.
Taylor, Tim. 2014. Urinary System. http://www.innerbody.com/image/urinov.html.
Retrieved on October 30, 2014.
Zimmermann, Kim Ann. 2013. http://www.livescience.com/27012-urinary-system.html.
Retrieved on October 30, 2014.