URINARY SYSTEM AND FLUID BALANCE

Function

EXCRETION
- Major function
- Kidneys remove waste products from blood
- Metabolic by-products of cell metabolism
- Substances absorbed from the Small Intestine
- Skin, liver, lungs, and intestines ANATOMY

REGULATION of BLOOD VOLUME and

Kidneys
PRESSURE
- Bean-shaped
- Kidneys play a major role in controlling
Extracellular Fluid (ECF) vol - 120-170g
- Kidneys produce either large vol of diluted or - 10-12cm long; 5-6cm wide; 2-3cm thick
small vol of concentrated urine
- T12 to L3 vertebrae
- Depending on the hydration level of the body
- Through urine production, the kidneys regulate
blood volume and blood pressure

Renal Cortex
- Light color of the outer region of the
REGULATION OF BLOOD SOLUTE
CONCENTRATION kidneys
- Kidneys help regulate the concentration of - Produce CORTISOL
major molecules and ions
- Regulate metabolism & helps body
- Glucose, Na+, Cl-, K+, Ca++, HCO3-, HPO4
respond to stress
- ALDOSTERONE, control BP
REGULATION of ECF pH
- Kidneys excrete variable amounts of H+
Renal Medulla
-Darker reddish-brown area
REGULATION of RBC Synthesis
- Controls hormones that initiate the FIGHT or
- Kidneys secrete a hormone, erythropoietin FLIGHT response
- Regulates the synthesis of RBC in bone marrow

Renal Pyramids
REGULATION of Vit D Synthesis - Triangular part w/ stripes
- Kidneys play an important role in controlling - Collection of tubes & ducts
blood levels of Ca++
- Urine filtration
- By regulating the synthesis of vit. D
Renal Papilla
-Tips of the renal pyramid
- Point towards the renal sinus
Renal Calyces
- Funnel-shaped chamber surrounding the tip of
the papilla
Renal Column of Bertin
- Medullary extension of the renal cortex in
between the renal pyramids
- It allows the cortex to be better anchored
Renal Pelvis
-Medial to the hilum is a flat, basin-like cavity
- The point of convergence of 2 or 3 major calyces
- Act as a funnel for urine flowing to the ureter
- Embedded in and surrounded by the renal sinus
Renal Hilum
- Concave part
- Blood vessels and nerves enter & exit
- Narrows significantly forming the small
diameter tube called ureter
- Point of exit for ureters
Arcuate Arteries and Veins
-Vessels of the renal circulation
- Located at the border of the renal cortex and
Medulla
Ureters
-2 slender tubes from the renal pelvis to the
posterior inferior portion of the urinary bladder
- 25-30cm (10-12in) long
- 6mm (1/4in) in diameter
- URETEROVESICAL VALVES, prevent urine
from flowing back towards the kidneys
Urinary Bladder
-Hollow, muscular container that lies in the pelvic
cavity
- Posterior to the pubic symphysis
- Stores urine
-600 to 800ml of urine; max 1000ml
-Transitional epithelium
Trigone
-Smooth triangular region of the bladder base,
where infections tend to persist
- Located between the openings of the ureters
and urethra
- Does not expand with the urinary bladder wall
as it fills
- Act as a funnel for emptying the urinary bladder
Detrusor Muscle
-Smooth m. found in the wall of the bladder
- Primary function: contract during urination to
push the urine out of the bladder and into the
urethra
Urethra
-Thin-walled tube that carries urine by peristalsis
from the bladder to the outside of the body
- INTERNAL URETHRAL SPHINCTER, smooth
m.
- EXTERNAL URETHRAL SPHINCTER,
skeletal m.
Male Urethra
-20cm (8-10in)
- Prostatic: widest
- Membranous: narrow
- Bulbous: round
- Pendulous/ Spongy: longest
 Nephron

Female Urethra 1. Renal corpuscle

2. Proximal convoluted tubule
-3-4cm (1 1/2in) 3. Loop of Henle
- External orifice, lies anterior to the vaginal 4. Distal convoluted tubule
opening

Renal Corpuscle
NEPHRON - Filtration portion

-histological and functional unit of the kidney
- 1.3 million
- GLOMERULUS, network/ tuft of capillaries twisted
around each other like a ball of yarn
- BOWMAN CAPSULE (glomerular capsule), double-
walled chamber surrounding the glomerulus
Renal tubule

CORTICAL
- Renal corpuscles distributed throughout the
cortex
- Loops of Henle are shorter and closer to the
outer edge of the cortex
- Excretory and regulatory functions
-85%
- Reduced vasa recta
- Small glomerulus resulting to low GFR
URINE FORMATION

JUXTAMEDULLARY
- Renal corpuscles deep in the cortex near the
medulla
- Long loops of Henle, which extend deep into the
medulla
Only 15% of nephrons
- Main function: concentrate/ dilute urine/ urea
- Contain large network of vasa recta
- Large glomerulus = high GFR
- Longer loops of Henle are well adapted for
water conservation