Two bean-shaped organs located retroperitoneally at the level of the twelfth thoracic and their lumbar vertebra (costovertebral angle)
Kidneys
The right kidney is slightly lower than the left kidney due to the presence of the liver on the right side of the abdomen.
The functional units of the kidneys are the nephrons.
Functions of the kidney: Mnemonic - A WET BED
Functions of the kidney:
A - acid-base balance
W - water balance
E - electrolyte balance
T - toxin removal
B - BP control
E - erythropoietin
D - Vitamin D metabolism
Ureters
Two small tubes that transport urine from the renal pelvis to the urinary bladder
Ureters
The ureters enter the urinary bladder obliquely and are guarded by the uretero-vesicular sphincter. These two factors prevent reflux of urine as the bladder contracts.
Urinary Bladder
Serves as reservoir for urine.
Urinary Bladder
It is composed of three layers of detrusor muscles. Contraction of these muscles expels urine from the bladder.
Urinary Bladder
The approximate maximum capacity of the bladder is 1,000 mL of urine.
Urethra
The passageway of the urine into the external environment.
Urethra
The female urethra is shorter than males, which increases the propensity to UTI.
