Urinary System.

• What are the organs of the urinary system?

  Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra

  
• What is the primary function of the urinary system?

  To form and excrete metabolic wastes from the body
• What is the path of blood through the kidney?

  Blood enters through the renal artery, is filtered in the glomeruli, and leaves through the renal veins

  
• What is the path of filtrate through the kidney?

  Filtrate is taken out of the bloodstream in the glomerulus, adjusted in the nephrons, and some is returned to the bloodstream
• What are the three processes involved in the formation of urine?

  1. Glomerular filtration
  2. Tubular reabsorption
  3. Tubular secretion

  
• Why is the glomerular filtration rate important?

  It indicates how well the kidneys are filtering blood
• Where are the kidneys located?

  One kidney on each side of the vertebral column, partially protected by the rib cage
• Why is the right kidney lower than the left kidney?

  Because of the liver's position
• What shape and color are the kidneys?

  Bean-shaped and reddish-brown in color

  
• What is the function of the renal capsule?

  To protect the kidneys
• How does urine color change based on hydration levels?

  Pale yellow indicates good hydration, while dark yellow indicates concentration
• What does clear urine indicate?

  Good hydration
• What does dark urine and slight odor indicate?

  Dehydration
• What is urinalysis used for?

  To assess urine's pH and contents to detect abnormalities or diseases
• What are the characteristics of normal urine?

  Color is usually pale yellow, may vary from colorless to dark yellow
• What are some abnormal findings in urine?

  Glucose, ketones, nitrates, nitrites, blood, white blood cells
• What types of wastes does the urinary system primarily eliminate?

  Nitrogenous wastes like urea, creatinine, ammonium, and uric acid
• How is urea formed?

  From the breakdown of amino acids in the liver
• What is the role of the kidneys in water-salt balance?

  To regulate water and salt balance in the blood
• How does increased salt in the blood affect blood volume and pressure?

  It leads to higher blood volume and increased blood pressure
• What is the function of the Sodium-Potassium Pump?

  To regulate blood pressure by controlling sodium and potassium concentrations
• How do kidneys maintain acid-base balance?

  By excreting or reabsorbing H+ and bicarbonate as needed
• What is the typical pH of urine?

  6 or lower
• What hormones do the kidneys secrete?

  Renin and erythropoietin (EPO)
• What is the function of renin?

  To trigger the release of aldosterone, regulating blood pressure

  
• What is the role of erythropoietin (EPO)?

  To stimulate the production of red blood cells in response to low oxygen levels
• What is the renal pelvis?

  The area of the kidney where the renal artery enters and the renal vein and ureter exit

  
• What is the function of the ureters?

  To conduct urine from the kidneys to the bladder
• What are the three layers of the ureter wall?

  Inner mucosa, smooth muscle layer, and outer fibrous connective tissue
• How does peristalsis aid in urine movement?

  It enables contractions that push urine to the bladder
• What is the function of the urinary bladder?

  To store urine until excretion
• What type of epithelium composes the urinary bladder?

  Transitional epithelium

  
• What are the internal and external sphincters of the bladder made of?

  Internal sphincter is smooth muscle; external sphincter is skeletal muscle
• How do nerve signals regulate bladder function?

  They communicate with the brain and spinal cord to control bladder contractions and sphincter relaxation
• How does the urethra differ between males and females?

  Females have a shorter urethra, while males have a longer urethra that serves dual functions
• What is the separation of systems in males and females regarding the urethra?

  In females, the urinary and reproductive systems are separate; in males, the urethra serves both systems
• What are the three regions of a kidney?

  Renal cortex, renal medulla, and renal pelvis

  
• What is the function of the glomerulus?

  To filter blood and produce filtrate

  
• What are podocytes and their function?

  Specialized cells that line the glomerulus and help form the filtration barrier

  
• What is the function of the Juxtaglomerular Apparatus (JGA)?

  To regulate blood pressure and filtration rate in the kidneys