Download Urinary System (Human): Components

Urinary System (Human): Components
Structure
The urinary system comprises:
a kidneys, two bean-shaped organs 4 in long and 2–3 in
wide;
b ureters, two tubes 10 in long ;
c bladder, a muscular organ; and
d urethra, a tube 1.5 in long in women and 7–8 in long
in men.
Male
Female
a kidneys
a kidneys
b ureters
b ureters
c bladder
c bladder
d urethra
d urethra
Functions
The urinary system is one of the methods by which
the body eliminates toxins and wastes produced
during metabolism. These methods are:
1 breathing out the gas carbon dioxide (respiratory
system);
2 excreting water, salts, and urea (an end product of
protein) through the skin;
3 excreting bile salts, cellulose, bacteria, and fibrous
waste in feces (digestive system); and
4 excreting wastes in urine (urinary system).
The urinary system:
● filters blood;
● removes wastes; and
● flushes wastes out through the urine.
Other functions of the system include:
● maintaining the balance of water and salt in the
body; and
● regulating the acid balance of the blood.
© Diagram Visual Information Ltd.
The functions of each organ in the system are
described below.
Kidneys
Filter blood, removing wastes, excess water, and
salts;
● secrete hormones renin and erythropoietin; and
● activate vitamin D.
●
Ureters
● Take urine from kidneys to the bladder.
Bladder
● Collects urine.
Urethra
● Eliminates urine from the bladder; and
● in men, serves as passage for sperm during
ejaculation.