Chapter 24, Problem 1CYR

What are the four main organs of the urinary system?

Summary Introduction

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.

Conclusion

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.