Videos
What are the four main organs of the urinary system?
To review:
The four main organs that are a part of the urinary system.
Introduction:
The organs of the urinary system perform the function ofremoval of metabolic wastesas well as water from the body. It cleans the waste substances of the body. It also removes toxins, produces erythrocytes, and maintainshomeostasis by regulating the blood pressure.
Explanation of Solution
The urinary system consists of paired kidneys and the urinary tract. The four main organs of the urinary system are given as follows:
1. Kidney: Kidneys are the specialized paired organs that filter the blood to remove metabolic wastes as well as also modify the resulting fluid. Thus, they regulate the amount of fluid, electrolyte, the balance of acid–base, and blood pressure of the body. Kidney also performs endocrine functions by secreting hormones.
2. Ureters: Uretersare the hollow tubes that serve the purpose of transporting urine from kidneys. These are about 25–30 cm (centimeter)in length and 3–4mm (millimeter) in diameters in case of an adult. They are made up of three layers: adventitia, muscular, and mucosa. They run along the posterior wall of the body and connect the kidneys to the urinary bladder.
3. Urinary bladder: It is a hollow, sac-like anddistensiblemuscular organ that resides on the floor of the pelvic cavity. It is suspended througha fold of parietal layer of peritoneum membrane. It crumbles when it is empty, but when dilated, it can stretch its muscles. Then it can hold up to about 700–800ml (milliliter) of urine. It is connected to the ureters and stores urine.
4. Urethra: Urethra is connected to the bladder and forms the terminal portion of the urinary tract. It releases the urine from the bladder toward outside of the body. The urethra is different in males and females. It is shorter in females (about 4 cm in length) and opens in between vagina and clitoris. In males, it is longer (about 20 cm in length) and transports both urines as well as semen.
Thus, it can be concluded that the four major structures of the urinary system areureters, kidneys, urinary bladder, as well as urethra. Kidneys perform the work of removing the metabolic wastes from the blood and produce urine. The other organs facilitate storage and expulsion of urine.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 24 Solutions
EBK HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
- How is a protein destined for the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER), imported into the ER? Be concise.arrow_forwardFind out about the organisations and the movements aimed at the conservation of our natural resources. Eg Chipko movement and Greenpeace. Make a project report on such an organisation.arrow_forwardWhat are biofertilizers and mention the significancearrow_forward
- PCBs and River Otters: Otters in Washington State’s Green-Duwamish River have high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in their livers. PCBs can bind to the estrogen receptors in animals and disrupt the endocrine system of these otters. The PCBs seem to increase the estrogen to androgen ratio, skewing the ratio toward too much estrogen. How would increased estrogen affect the river otter population? Based on your reading of the materials in this unit, what factors can affect fertility in humans? Explain how each of the factors affecting human fertility that you described can disrupt the human endocrine system to affect reproduction.arrow_forwardOther than oil and alcohol, are there other liquids you could compare to water (that are liquid at room temperature)? How is water unique compared to these other liquids? What follow-up experiment would you like to do, and how would you relate it to your life?arrow_forwardSelection of Traits What adaptations do scavengers have for locating and feeding on prey? What adaptations do predators have for capturing and consuming prey?arrow_forward
- Competition Between Species What natural processes limit populations from growing too large? What are some resources organisms can compete over in their natural habitat?arrow_forwardSpecies Interactions Explain how predators, prey and scavengers interact. Explain whether predators and scavengers are necessary or beneficial for an ecosystem.arrow_forwardmagine that you are conducting research on fruit type and seed dispersal. You submitted a paper to a peer-reviewed journal that addresses the factors that impact fruit type and seed dispersal mechanisms in plants of Central America. The editor of the journal communicates that your paper may be published if you make ‘minor revisions’ to the document. Describe two characteristics that you would expect in seeds that are dispersed by the wind. Contrast this with what you would expect for seeds that are gathered, buried or eaten by animals, and explain why they are different. (Editor’s note: Providing this information in your discussion will help readers to consider the significance of the research).arrow_forward
Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative a...NursingISBN:9781305964792Author:Wilburta Q. Lindh, Carol D. Tamparo, Barbara M. Dahl, Julie Morris, Cindy CorreaPublisher:Cengage Learning
Human Biology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305112100Author:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage Learning
Principles Of Radiographic Imaging: An Art And A ...Health & NutritionISBN:9781337711067Author:Richard R. Carlton, Arlene M. Adler, Vesna BalacPublisher:Cengage Learning