26-1

Human Urogenital System

26-2
Urogenital System Functions
Filtering of blood, Removal of wastes and
metabolites
Regulation of
blood volume and composition
concentration of blood solutes
pH of extracellular fluid
blood cell synthesis
Synthesis of Vitamin D
Reproduction and sexual function
26-3
Urinary System Anatomy
26-4
Location and External Anatomy
of Kidneys
Location
Lie behind peritoneum on
posterior abdominal wall
on either side of vertebral
column
Lumbar vertebrae and rib
cage partially protect
Right kidney slightly lower
than left
External Anatomy
Renal capsule
Surrounds each kidney
Perirenal fat
Engulfs renal capsule and acts as
cushioning and source of energy
Renal fascia
Anchors kidneys to abdominal
wall, separates from abdomen
Hilum
Renal artery and nerves enter and
renal vein and ureter exit kidneys

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Internal Anatomy of Kidneys
Cortex: Outer area
Renal columns
Medulla: Inner area
Renal pyramids
Calyces
Major: Converge to form
pelvis
Minor: Papillae extend
Nephron: Functional unit
of kidney
Juxtamedullary
Cortical
26-6
The Nephron
26-7
Histology of the Nephron
26-8
Internal Anatomy of Kidneys
Renal corpuscle
Bowmans or Renal
capsule
Parietal layer
Visceral layer
Glomerulus
Network of capillaries
goes into another capillary
bed called the peritubular
Capillaries
- Arterioles
Afferent
Blood to glomerulus
Efferent
Drains not into veinule but
another arteriole
Tubules
Proximal (convoluted)
tubule
Loops of Henle
Descending limb
Ascending limb
Distal (convoluted) tubules
Collecting ducts
26-9
Renal Corpuscle
26-10
Kidney Blood Flow
26-11
Ureters and Urinary Bladder
Ureters
Tubes through which urine flows from kidneys to
urinary bladder

Urinary bladder
Stores urine
26-12
Ureters and Urinary Bladder
Urethra
Transports urine from bladder to outside of
body
Difference in length between males and females
Sphincters
Internal urinary
External urinary

26-13
Urethra
Urethra
3 4 cm long in females
Bound by connective tissue to anterior wall of
vagina
Urethral orifice exits body between vaginal
orifice and clitoris
Urethra
~18 cm long in males
Prostatic urethra
~2.5 cm long, urinary bladder prostate
Membranous urethra
~0.5 cm, passes through floor of pelvic cavity
Penile urethra
~15 cm long, passes through penis