Chapter 15: The Urinary System
The urinary system is responsible for eliminating wastes, regulating ions and
blood volume as well as osmotic and pH balance in the blood. The kidney is
responsible for these activities. The other parts of the urinary system include the
ureters, bladder, and urethra, which are involved in the removal of urine from the
body.
I. Kidneys are located in the superior lumbar region, just in front of the 12th
rib (Figure 15.1). The kidney is covered by an outer fibrous capsule. The
renal cortex is the outer region of the kidney. The inner renal medulla has
the medullary pyramids, which point toward the inner region of the kidney.
There is a complex arrangement of renal arteries and veins which allow
for filtration of the blood by this organ.
II. Nephrons and Urine Formation Each kidney has millions of nephrons
which are responsible for forming urine. The nephron has two main
parts: the glomerulus and the renal tubule. Figure 15.3 shows the
complexity of the nephron. The glomerular capillaries are surrounded by
the glomerular (Bowman’s) capsule. The glomerular capsule then extends
into the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), dips down as the loop of
Henle, and then becomes the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) which
extends to the collecting duct. The collecting ducts run down through the
medullary pyramids, and deliver the urine product to the calyces and renal
pelvis.
Urine formation involves three processes:
1. Filtration The glomerulus is the filter. The filtrate is the plasma
without the proteins. (Blood cells and proteins are too large to
pass through.) Water and small solutes pass through.
2. Reabsorption Water, glucose, amino acids, necessary ions are
removed from filtrate to tubule cells and enter capillary blood.
3. Secretion Potassium ions, hydrogen ions, creatinine, drugs are
removed from blood into the filtrate. This process not only gets
rid of unwanted substances but helps with pH regulation.
Much of urine is made up of nitrogenous waste products, including urea, uric
acid, and creatinine. Abnormal constituents in urine include glucose, protein, pus
(white blood cells and bacteria), red blood cells, hemoglobin, and bile pigment.
III. Ureters lead from the kidneys to the bladder.
IV. Urinary Bladder has a lining of transitional epithelium, which allows for
stretching to occur. There are also stretch receptors to signal when the
bladder needs to be voided.
V. Urethra is the tube leading from the bladder out of the body.
VI. Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance are regulated the kidneys.
The composition of blood depends on diet, cellular metabolism, and urine
output which emphasizes the importance of renal function.
Kidneys need to:
1) excrete nitrogenous wastes
2) maintain water balance
3) maintain electrolyte balance
4) ensure proper blood pH
Water is found in intracellular fluid (about 2/3 of water) as well as
extracellular fluid in places like the cerebrospinal fluid, serous fluids, and
humors of the eye. Much water regulation depends on the electrolytes
(salt) balances. Hormones involved in this regulation include antidiuretic
hormone (ADH) and aldosterone.
For proper pH, the blood pH needs to be between 7.35-7.45. Above 7.45
is alkalosis and below 7.35 is acidosis. The bicarbonate buffer system is
one of the major ways blood is buffered. The respiratory system and renal
mechanisms both play a role in maintaining pH homeostasis.
