Urinary System 1

The Urinary System
Component parts of the urinary system
• Kidney
• Renal artery and vein
• Ureter
• Urinary bladder
• Urethra
2
Internal Structure of the Kidney
3
Functions of the Urinary System
 Remove nitrogenous wastes generated by cells
 Regulates blood volume and blood pressure
 Regulates plasma concentrations of ions
 Acts as blood filter
 Helps to stabilize blood pH
 Release hormones: calcitriol & erythropoietin
 Controls valuable nutrients
Position of the Kidneys
Hormonal Control of Kidney
Function
• Angiotensin II
• Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
• Aldosterone
• Atrial Natriuetic Peptide (ANP)
• Secretion of angiotensin II
• Aldosterone integrated by renin-
angiotensin system
How blood is Filtered ?
• The filtering units of the kidneys are the nephrons.
• There are approximately 1.2 million nephrons in each
kidney.
• The nephrons are located within the cortex and medulla of
each kidney.
• The tubes of the nephron are surrounded by cells and a

network of blood vessels spreads throughout the tissue.
Therefore, material that leaves the nephron enters the
surrounding cells and returns to the bloodstream by a
network of vessels.
Nephron
• Each nephron consists of the following parts:

 Glomerulus
 Renal tubules
– Bowman’s capsule
– Proximal convoluted tubule
– Descending limb of loop of Henle
– Loop of Henle
– Ascending limb of loop of Henle
– Distal convoluted tubule
– Collecting tubule/duct
Parts of the Nephron
9
Nephron-Tubular System
1. Proximal
convoluted
tubule
2. Descending loop
of Henle
3. Ascending loop
of Henle
4. Distal convoluted
tubule
5. Collecting duct
The Formation of Urine
3 distinct processes involved in the formation of urine
1. Simple filtration
2. Selective reabsorbtion
• Hormonal control-
» Parathyroid hormone, calcitonin
» Anti diuretic hormone
» Aldosterone
3. Secretion
11
Secretion is the release by active transport of substances
into the filtrate. It is accomplished by the tubular lining cells.
The substances released are usually derived from the blood
in the peritubular capillaries.
19
Summary so far…..
Blood enters the kidney The renal artery divides in Once blood is filtered
through the renal artery Afferent arterioles take blood efferent arterioles take
to ever smaller arteries
at the site of the hilum to the glomerulus to be filtered blood away from the
and arterioles
glomerulus
Products which are filtered out:

The PCT is concerned with The filtered substances
water, mineral salts, amino The glomerulus is a
reabsorption- organic nutrients move into the proximal
acids, glucose, hormones, urea, network of capillaries
are reabsorbed and water convoluted tubule
toxins which filters the blood
follows because there is a
concentration gradient
Products which do not filter

The remaining filtrate moves and remain in the blood:
The walls of the ascending
into the descending loop of Because water has been Leukocytes, erythrocytes,
loop of henle are lined with
henle. This is lined with thin reabsorbed the platelets, plasma proteins
thicker cells, so water can’t
cells so water moves out concentration of the filtrate pass in or out. Instead
is not very high sodium and chloride is
pumped out actively
The filtrate now enters the
A number of other nephrons join distal convoluted tubule- is
up to the collecting duct which In the DCT the volume and it now only 20% of what it
travels through the medulla to From the DCT the filtrate now composition of the filtrate originally was.
the renal papilla where the passes into the collecting can be adjusted but this is
filtrate is emptied in the minor duct. controlled by hormones
calyx
4-5 minor calyces join up 2-3 major calyces join

The renal pelvis joins the The ureter transport the
to make a major calyx up to form the renal
ureter at the hilum filtrate/urine from the
pelvis
kidney to the bladder
Surface anatomy of the Kidney
• Hilum is located on
the medial surface
10
cm
3cm
5.5
cm
Internal Structure of the Kidney
22
Function of the Kidney
• The principal function of the kidney is to filter
blood in order to remove cellular waste products
from the body.
• At any given time, 20% of blood is in the
kidneys. Humans can function with one kidney.
• If one ceases to work, the other increases in size
to handle the workload.
• The kidney has other functions but it is usually
associated with the excretion of cellular waste
such as :
• urea (a nitrogenous waste produced in the liver
from the breakdown of protein. It is the main
component of urine) ;
• uric acid (usually produced from breakdown of
DNA or RNA) and
• creatinine (waste product of muscle action).
• All of these compounds have nitrogen as a
major component.
• They are one of the major homeostatic organs of
the body.
• They control water pH, secrete erythropoietin (a
hormone that stimulates red blood cell
production) and activate vitamin D production in
the skin.
Urethra
 Extends from the base of the
bladder to the outside
 Anatomical differences mean

that male and female urethras
are different.
– Female: 4cm long
– Male: 14cm long
26
At a glance of functions of Urinary
System
Properties of Normal Urine
• pH: 4.5-8
• Water content: 93-97%
• Volume: 1200 mL/day
• Color: clear yellow
• Odor: varies with composition
• Bacterial content: sterile
Urine
Nitrogenous waste:
• urea
• uric acid
• creatinine
Ions:
• sodium
• potassium
• sulfate
• phosphate
UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
• Is a very common disorder. If the bladder has become
infected, it is known as cystitis. If the urethra is infected.,
it is called urethritis.
• UTI occur when bacteria (E. coli) from the digestive tract
get into the opening of the urinary tract and multiply
• Bacteria first infect the urethra, then move to the bladder
and finally to the kidneys
• UTI tend to occur more in women than men
Women may have more UTIs than men because:
1) they have a shorter urethra, allowing quicker
access to the bladder
2) the urethral opening is nearer the anus
3) Sexual intercourse often introduces bacteria into
the urethral opening
Based on: Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide

Symptoms of UTIs
• Urge to urinate but only small amount of urine
produced
• Pain and burning sensation in bladder
• Fever
• Blood in urine
This can lead to chills, fever, nausea,
vomiting and upper abdomen tenderness.
Kidney Infections
• Result when an infection reaches the kidneys
and becomes known as pyelonephritis.
• Common causes can be infection from
elsewhere in the body or obstruction of the
prostate gland (usually in older men).
• For children, infection can be caused by the tube
that drains urine from the kidneys and the
bladder.
• If left untreated, all UTI’s can lead to permanent
kidney damage and possible kidney failure.
• The general treatment is by antibiotics. A person
needs to maintain good personal hygiene when
eliminating wastes (liquid and solid forms) from
the body.
• Also, a person should drink lots of water.
Kidney Stones
• Are also a common kidney disorder. They form
when chemicals in the urine precipitate out and form
crystals.
• The most common crystals are from calcium
oxalate, while others could be from uric acid and
cystine.
• Factors such as recurrent urinary bladder infections,
insufficient water intake and consumption, low levels
of physical activity, and too much Vitamin C and D
intake can lead to kidney stones.
• One of the best ways to decrease the occurrence of
stones is to drink lots of water and to change your
dietary habits.
Kidney Stones
• Symptoms include severe back or abdomen pain,
blood in the urine, nausea and vomiting.
• Diagnosis involves a complete medical
examination, including X-rays.
• Treatment may vary from letting the stones pass
through the urinary tract to ultrasound shock (or
lithotripsy) to disintegrate the stones to a small size
that can be passed through the urinary tract.
• Real large stones require surgery for removal.

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The Urinary System

Component parts of the urinary system

• The tubes of the nephron are surrounded by cells and a

• Each nephron consists of the following parts:

3 distinct processes involved in the formation of urine

Products which are filtered out:

Products which do not filter

4-5 minor calyces join up 2-3 major calyces join

 Anatomical differences mean

Based on: Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide

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