FUNCTIONS AND STRUCTURE OF THE URINARY
SYSTEM |MEDSERG EXAM 2 | GUARANTEED
SUCCESS STARTS HERE! LEARN, PRACTICE &
EXCEL!
Main functions of the urinary system Answer: Filter blood, remove waste, regulate fluid and
electrolyte balance, maintain blood pressure, and produce hormones (renin,
erythropoietin).
Organs of the urinary system Answer: Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.
Daily blood filtration by kidneys Answer: About 200 liters.
External supportive structures of the kidney Answer: Renal capsule, adipose capsule,
renal fascia.
Internal regions of the kidney Answer: Cortex, medulla, renal pelvis.
Role of the nephron Answer: Filters blood, reabsorbs necessary substances, secretes
waste, and forms urine.
Major processes of urine formation Answer: Filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.
Efficiency of glomerulus at filtration Answer: It has a highly permeable membrane and high
blood pressure.
Factors influencing glomerular filtration rate (GFR) Answer: Filtration surface area,
membrane permeability, and net filtration pressure.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence. 1
, Tubular reabsorption Answer: The process of reclaiming water, ions, and nutrients from the
filtrate back into the blood.
Tubular secretion Answer: The movement of substances from the blood into the filtrate for
excretion, such as potassium, hydrogen ions, and drugs.
Mechanisms that regulate GFR Answer: Renal autoregulation, neural control, and the
renin-angiotensin system.
Formation of dilute urine Answer: When ADH is not secreted, the collecting ducts remain
impermeable to water, so water stays in the filtrate.
Formation of concentrated urine Answer: In the presence of ADH, water is reabsorbed in
the collecting ducts, concentrating the urine.
Countercurrent mechanism Answer: A process in the loop of Henle that creates a
concentration gradient in the medulla to aid in water reabsorption.
Main nitrogenous wastes in urine Answer: Urea, uric acid, and creatinine.
Factors changing urine color Answer: Hydration, diet, medications, and certain medical
conditions.
Role of aldosterone Answer: Stimulates sodium reabsorption in the distal tubules and
collecting ducts.
Function of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) Answer: Reduces blood pressure and volume
by promoting sodium and water excretion.
Kidneys' role in acid-base balance Answer: By reabsorbing bicarbonate and excreting
hydrogen ions to regulate blood pH.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence. 2
SYSTEM |MEDSERG EXAM 2 | GUARANTEED
SUCCESS STARTS HERE! LEARN, PRACTICE &
EXCEL!
Main functions of the urinary system Answer: Filter blood, remove waste, regulate fluid and
electrolyte balance, maintain blood pressure, and produce hormones (renin,
erythropoietin).
Organs of the urinary system Answer: Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.
Daily blood filtration by kidneys Answer: About 200 liters.
External supportive structures of the kidney Answer: Renal capsule, adipose capsule,
renal fascia.
Internal regions of the kidney Answer: Cortex, medulla, renal pelvis.
Role of the nephron Answer: Filters blood, reabsorbs necessary substances, secretes
waste, and forms urine.
Major processes of urine formation Answer: Filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.
Efficiency of glomerulus at filtration Answer: It has a highly permeable membrane and high
blood pressure.
Factors influencing glomerular filtration rate (GFR) Answer: Filtration surface area,
membrane permeability, and net filtration pressure.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence. 1
, Tubular reabsorption Answer: The process of reclaiming water, ions, and nutrients from the
filtrate back into the blood.
Tubular secretion Answer: The movement of substances from the blood into the filtrate for
excretion, such as potassium, hydrogen ions, and drugs.
Mechanisms that regulate GFR Answer: Renal autoregulation, neural control, and the
renin-angiotensin system.
Formation of dilute urine Answer: When ADH is not secreted, the collecting ducts remain
impermeable to water, so water stays in the filtrate.
Formation of concentrated urine Answer: In the presence of ADH, water is reabsorbed in
the collecting ducts, concentrating the urine.
Countercurrent mechanism Answer: A process in the loop of Henle that creates a
concentration gradient in the medulla to aid in water reabsorption.
Main nitrogenous wastes in urine Answer: Urea, uric acid, and creatinine.
Factors changing urine color Answer: Hydration, diet, medications, and certain medical
conditions.
Role of aldosterone Answer: Stimulates sodium reabsorption in the distal tubules and
collecting ducts.
Function of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) Answer: Reduces blood pressure and volume
by promoting sodium and water excretion.
Kidneys' role in acid-base balance Answer: By reabsorbing bicarbonate and excreting
hydrogen ions to regulate blood pH.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence. 2
