The Urinary System

Combining Forms Cyst/o bladder Glomerul/o glomerulus Lith/o stone, calculus Nephr/o kidney Olig/o scanty Pyel/o renal pelvis Py/o pus Ren/o kidney Ur/o urine, urinary tract Ureter/o ureter Urethr/o urethra Urin/o urine, urinary tract

Prefixes/Suffixes An- without or not Poly- many, much Supra- above; excessive; superior -al pertaining to -ar pertaining to -ary pertaining to -cele hernia, swelling -ectomy excision, removal -emia blood condition

Prefixes/ Suffixes -iasis abnormal condition (specific) -ic pertaining to -itis inflammation -lith stone, calculus -logist specialist in the study of -pathy disease -pexy fixation -plasty surgical repair -ptosis prolapse, downward displacement

Prefixes/ Suffixes -oma tumor -scopy visual examination -stenosis narrowing, stricture -tripsy crushing -uria urine

Abbreviations and Terms UTI urinary tract infection Dialysis clinically cleaning the blood Diuretic agent that promotes urine secretion Incontinence inability to control excretory functions Voiding to urinate

Basic Functions of the Urinary System Regulates the composition and volume of the blood by removing and restoring selected amounts of water and solutes. Eliminates water, nitrogenous wastes from the breakdown of protein, inorganic salts, and assists in eliminating heat and carbon dioxide.

The Organs of the Urinary System Kidneys (2) Ureters (2) Bladder Urethra

Kidneys The kidneys are paired organs found laterally to the spinal canal in the upper left and right quadrants. Their main function is to produce urine.

Kidney Anatomy

Kidney Anatomy Renal Capsule- outside covering of the kidney Cortex- lighter colored outer region Medulla- darker, reddish-brown inner region Pyramids- direct urine formation towards renal pelvis Renal Pelvis- flat funnel-shaped cavity that collects urine

Nephron The functional unit of the kidney A. Glomerulus B. Proximal Convoluting Tubule C. Loop of Henle descending limb D. Loop of Henle ascending limb E. Distal Convoluting Tubule F. Collecting duct

Nephron

Steps to Urine Formation Filtration- creates a plasma-like filtrate of the solutes Reabsorption- removes useful solutes from the filtrate and returns them to the blood Secretion- removes more waste from the blood and adds them to the filtrate Concentration- removes water from the urine, concentrates urine

The Ureters The ureters are long, slender tubes which extend from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. Their main function is to transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

The Urinary Bladder A sac-like structure found in the pelvic cavity. Its main function is to hold urine.

The Urethra A small tube (about 2 inches in the female and 8 inches in males) which transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

Diseases and Disorders of the Urinary System

Kidney Stones Kidney stones are hard masses developed from crystals that separate from the urine within the urinary tract. Usually, the first symptom of a kidney stone is extreme pain, which begins suddenly when a stone moves in the urinary tract and blocks the flow of urine.

Kidney Stones continued Typically, a person feels a sharp, cramping pain in the back and side in the area of the kidney or in the lower abdomen. Sometimes nausea and vomiting occur. Later, pain may spread to the groin. Predisposing factors for kidney stones include dehydration, infection, obstruction, and genetics. Treatment includes medication to relieve the pain, forcing fluids, and sometimes surgical intervention such as lithotripsy.

Kidney Failure Kidney failure is the loss of the kidney’s ability to perform their main function — eliminate excess fluid and waste material from the blood. When the kidneys lose their filtering ability, dangerous levels of fluid and waste accumulate in the body. Signs and symptoms include decreased urine output, fluid retention, drowsiness, shortness of breath, fatigue, confusion, seizures or coma in severe cases. Treatment includes a modified diet, IV fluids, and dialysis until kidney function returns to normal.

Cystitis/ UTI Cystitis is the inflammation of the urinary bladder caused by bacteria. It is more common in women. Signs and symptoms of cystitis include urgency, frequency, burning upon urination, dysuria, and possible urethral discharge. It is treated with antibiotics.