Urinary System Overview - Anatomy & Physiology
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Background Information
Introduction to Fluid Movement
The Kidney
The kidneys are paired organs which reside in the dorsal abdomen. One on the left and one on the right. Their role is to filter the blood through the glomerulus to form what is known as the filtrate. This filtrate is then on the whole reabsorbed along the nephron until what is left comprises compounds superfluous to the requirements of the organism. Some compounds, normally fully reabsorbed, are on occasion present in the body in excess. The kidney tubules are able to respond to this excess and excrete such compounds in greater amounts. This is how the kidneys play a major role in the homeostasis of the organism. The kidneys also plays a vital role in the total water balance of the organism. Varying their excretion of water in relation to the hydration status of the animal.
The kidneys receive 25% of the cardiac output. From this they filter 20% of the plasma forming a filtrate of which all but 1% is reabsorbed. This equates to all the circulatory volume being filtered and reabsorbed every 30 minutes. The functions of the kidneys are to maintain the volume and composition of plasma, regulate water, ion and pH levels, retain nutrients and excrete waste, toxins and excess electrolytes
There are 5 aspects of renal function; glomerular filtration, solute reabsorption, tubular secretion, water balance and acid-base regulation.
Macroscopic Renal Anatomy - Anatomy and Physiology
[[Urine Production - Anatomy & Physiology
Kidney - Basic Physiology and Common Anatomy
Kidney - Important Hormonal Regulators
Alternate kidney
Have your brief intro as you've got and have a brief outline of the kidney's functions (ie the bit that currently lies in common anatomy) Then these are the new pages suggestions:
Kidney Anatomy
In this link include common anatomy, blood supply and species differences
The Nephron
As outlined in my email but as below
- Microantomy of the nephron
- Urine production:
- Glomerular filtration
- Solute reabsorption and tubular excretion
- Water balance
Acid-base balance
as in email
Blood pressure regulation
Endocrine functions
ie erythropoietin, regulation of vit d
Lower Urinary Tract
The lower urinary tract is the collection of organs which convey the formed urine from the kidneys to the exterior of the body. The urine is not altered in this part of the system in species other than the horse (where mucous is added) but instead its function is to collect and store the urine until enough of it is collected for release to become necessary. This gives the animal urinary continence. Three major structures make up this tract. The ureters, the bladder and the urethra.
Ureters - Anatomy & Physiology
Bladder - Anatomy & Physiology
Urethra - Anatomy & Physiology
Other
Developmental Anatomy of the Kidneys and Urinary Tract
The Effects of Diuretics on the Kidneys