1. To eliminate waste from the body
2. To regulate blood volume + blood pressure
3. To control levels of electrolytes + metabolites
4. To regulate blood pH levels
2 of 15
Describe the function of the kidney
- Forms urine for excretion
- This occurs via filtration, reabsorption, + secretion
- Removes urea
- Urea is a waste product formed by breakdown of proteins from the blood through small filtering units called nephrons
3 of 15
Describe the function of the ureter
- A tube that carries urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder
- There are 2 ureters. One attached to each kidney
- Muscles in the ureter walls continuously tighten + relax to force urine away from the kidneys
4 of 15
Describe the function of the bladder
- Hollow, balloon-shaped organ located in pelvis
- Held in place by ligaments attached to other organs + pelvic bones
- Made up of 3 layers
- Most prominent layer is smooth muscle
- Acts as a reservoir for urine storage (stretches to around 300-400mls in
5 of 15
Describe the function of the bladder (continued)
- When the nervous system is fully developed the reflex is stimulated, but the impulses passing to the brain to control
6 of 15
Describe the urethra
- Thin fibromuscular tube that begins at the lower opening of the bladder + extends through the pelvic + urogenital diaphragms to the outside of the body called the external urethral orifice
- Connects to the ductus deferens in makes for the *********** o
7 of 15
What does the renal system work with to keep chemicals + water in the body balanced?
- The lungs, skin, + intestines (all of which excrete wastes)
8 of 15
True or false: do certain types of medications affect amount of urine eliminated?
- True
9 of 15
What type of waste does the renal system remove from the blood?
- Urea
- Urea is produced when foods containing protein are broken down in the body
10 of 15
How is urea carried to the kidneys?
- Via the bloodstream
11 of 15
What substances required by the body are removed by the tubule?
- Water
- Minerals
- Nutrients
12 of 15
How many functions does the renal tubule have + name them
- 3
- Reabsorption
- Secretion
- Excretion
13 of 15
What allows blood flow into the kidneys?
- The renal artery
- This large vessel branches into smaller vessels until blood reaches the nephrons
- Within the nephron the vessels of the glomeruli filter the blood
- Blood is then able to filter out through the renal vein
14 of 15
What else do the kidneys have an important function in maintaining?
- Homeostasis in the body
- This includes regulating body acid-balance (pH), concentration of electrolytes, controlling blood pressure, + excreting hormones
15 of 15
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
What are the 4 main purposes of the renal system?
Back
1. To eliminate waste from the body
2. To regulate blood volume + blood pressure
3. To control levels of electrolytes + metabolites
4. To regulate blood pH levels
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