HafeezUllah

Subject :Anatomy
Topic: Anatomy of Excretory System
Roll No: 15
Semester: 1st Repeater
Submitted To : Dr Sarwat
Excretory system

The Excretory system is responsible for the elimination of wastes produced by homeostasis. There are several
parts of the body that are involved in this process, such as sweat glands, the liver, the lungs and the kidney
system.

Urinary system:

The urinary system's function is to filter blood and create urine as a waste by-product. The
organs of the urinary system include the kidneys, renal pelvis, ureters, bladder and urethra.

The body takes nutrients from food and converts them to energy. After the body has taken the
food components that it needs, waste products are left behind in the bowel and in the blood.

The kidney and urinary systems help the body to eliminate liquid waste called urea, and to keep
chemicals, such as potassium and sodium, and water in balance. Urea is produced when foods
containing protein, such as meat, poultry, and certain vegetables, are broken down in the body.
Urea is carried in the bloodstream to the kidneys, where it is removed along with water and other
wastes in the form of urine.
Other important functions of the kidneys include blood pressure regulation and the production of
erythropoietin, which controls red blood cell production in the bone marrow. Kidneys also
regulate the acid-base balance and conserve fluids.

Kidney and urinary system parts and their functions

 Two kidneys. This pair of purplish-brown organs is located below the ribs toward the
middle of the back. Their function is to:

o Remove waste products and drugs from the body

o Release hormones to regulate blood pressure

o Control production of red blood cells

The kidneys remove urea from the blood through tiny filtering units called nephrons. Each
nephron consists of a ball formed of small blood capillaries, called a glomerulus, and a small
tube called a renal tubule. Urea, together with water and other waste substances, forms the urine
as it passes through the nephrons and down the renal tubules of the kidney.

The Nephron
The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney. It is a tube-like structure that spans the renal
cortex and medulla. The average human kidney contains 800,000- 1.5 million nephrons. The
nephron is the site of ion and water reabsorption, and where urine is produced.
The nephron has five regions.
 Glomerular (Bowman's) capsule
o The inner layer of the capsule is composed of cells called podocytes. They have
long, branching processes that cling and intertwine with each other, forming a porous
membrane around the glomerulus, which is the mass of capillaries within the capsule.
o The blood pressure within the glomerulus is extremely high due to the differences
in diameter between the large afferent arteriole and the narrower efferent arteriole. This
forces fluids and solutes into the glomerular capsule.
 Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)
1. The PCT is a highly coiled region, which is closely associated with the peritubular
capillary bed.
2. It is the site of early reabsorption of water, ions, glucose, and amino acids
 3. Nitrogenous wastes and blood pollutants such as medications are secreted
4. By the end of the PCT, 60% of the original water is reabsorbed, and 65% of
original ions
2. Loop of Henle
1. The descending segment is the site of water reabsorption. This is a passive
process, which occurs via osmosis due to the ion gradient created by the ascending
segment.
2. The ascending segment is the site of ion reabsorption, which occurs via active
transport.
3. By the end of the Loop of Henle, 80% of the original water is reabsorbed, and
90% of the original ions.
2. Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT)
1. This is the site of the secretion of any extra wastes.
2. Collecting Duct
1. The main function is the absorption of more water. It relies on the solute gradient
created by the Loop of Henle.
Collectively, the PCT, Loop of Henle, and DCT comprise the renal tubule. The tubule is lined
with microvilli, which increase the surface area.
Associated Vessels
1. Afferent arteriole transports blood into the...
2. Glomerulus (capillary bed), where it then moves into the...
3. Efferent arteriole, which leaves the nephron. It is much narrower than the afferent
arteriole, causing high pressure and encouraging filtration.
4. Peritubular capillaries are capillaries that arise from the efferent arteriole. Their main
purpose is resorption of the solutes and water from the tubule cells.
5. Vasa recta capillaries are the portions of the peritubular capillaries that surround the Loop
of Henle.
Nephrons may be classified by their location. Most nephrons are located almost completely
within the cortex, and are called cortical nephrons. Nephrons that are found close to the
boundary between the cortex and the medulla, and whose loops of Henle are mainly within the
medulla are known as juxtamedullary nephrons.

 Two ureters. These narrow tubes carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Muscles in
the ureter walls continually tighten and relax forcing urine downward, away from the
 kidneys. If urine backs up, or is allowed to stand still, a kidney infection can develop.
About every 10 to 15 seconds, small amounts of urine are emptied into the bladder from
the ureters.

 Bladder. This triangle-shaped, hollow organ is located in the lower abdomen. It is held in

Upon examination, specific "landmarks" are used to describe the location of any
irregularities in the bladder. These are:

o Trigone: a triangle-shaped region near the junction of the urethra and the bladder

o Right and left lateral walls: walls on either side of the trigone

o Posterior wall: back wall

o Dome: roof of the bladder

 Nerves in the bladder. The nerves alert a person when it is time to urinate, or empty the
bladder.

 Urethra. This tube allows urine to pass outside the body. The brain signals the bladder
muscles to tighten, which squeezes urine out of the bladder. At the same time, the brain
signals the sphincter muscles to relax to let urine exit the bladder through the urethra.
When all the signals occur in the correct order, normal urination occurs.

Facts about urine

 Normal, healthy urine is a pale straw or transparent yellow color.

 Darker yellow or honey colored urine means you need more water.

 A darker, brownish color may indicate a liver problem or severe dehydration.

 Pinkish or red urine may mean blood in the urine.