Urinary system

Urinary System
rids the body of waste materials

controls the volume and composition of body fluids

highly specialized cells in the kidneys are essential to these processes



composed of

paired kidneys

paired ureters

urinary bladder

urethra

urine

is produced in the kidneys

drains through the ureters to the urinary
bladder where urine is stored

eliminated from the body through urethra




kidneys
external structure

the bean shaped

retroperitoneal

lying against the dorsal body wall in the
upper abdomen



blood supply

, nephrons in the cortex are cortical nephrons

lie largely with cortex

nephron loops dig into medulla

nephrons in both the cortex and medulla are juxtamedullary nephrons

have glomeruli that lie at border of cortex and medulla

nephron loops dig deep into medulla

medulla

renal pyramid

striated appearance

have parallel bundles of ducts carrying urine from nephrons

renal column

area between pyramids

extension of cortex that provide a route for passage of blood vessels and nerves to and from
outer cortex

pelvis

funnel shaped

collects urine from pyramids

conveys into ureter for passage to bladder




Nephron
structural and functional unit of the kidney


blood vessels
consists of a specialized tubular structure and
closely associated blood vessels

interlobar artery → arcuate artery → cortical
radiate artery → afferent arteriole → glomerulus
→ efferent arteriole → peritubular capillaries →