Chapter 16 - Urinary System
The urinary system (also known as the renal system) consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and the urethra. Its functions in the formation of urine and regulation pressure, volume and blood pH.
Kidney
The kidney filters blood, removes waste materials and concentrates the filtrate (urine) for elimination. Each kidney contains millions of functional units called nephrons.
Nephron
A nephron is composed of a renal corpuscle and a single, long tubule.
Renal Tubules
The renal tubules of a nephron consist of a proximal convulated tubule, loop of Henle, and distal convulated tubule.
Renal Vasculature
Despite their relatively small size, the kidneys receive almost 20% of the cardiac output.
Bladder
The urinary bladder is a hollow muscular organ that collects and stores urine from the kidneys.
(stretched) |
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(relaxed) |