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Exotic Urinary System - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 09:27, 11 August 2008
, 09:27, 11 August 2008→Avian
==Avian==
==Avian==
====Anatomy====
Birds have paired kidneys which account for 1 – 2.5% of their body weight which is significant compared to 0.5% in mammals. They are located caudal to the caudal edge of the lungs near the abdominal air sac diverticulum. They are subdivided into cranial, middle and caudal parts and have lobules comprising a cortex and a medullar cone. Birds have a renal portal system similar to that of reptiles.
Birds have paired kidneys which account for 1 – 2.5% of their body weight which is significant compared to 0.5% in mammals. They are located caudal to the caudal edge of the lungs near the abdominal air sac diverticulum. They are subdivided into cranial, middle and caudal parts and have lobules comprising a cortex and a medullar cone. Birds have a renal portal system similar to that of reptiles.
===Types of Nephron===
====Types of Nephron====
There are two possible types of nephrons found in birds
There are two possible types of nephrons found in birds
* However both systems only allow for limited urine concentration
* However both systems only allow for limited urine concentration
===Physiology of the Elimination of Uric Acid===
====Physiology of the Elimination of Uric Acid====
* Birds excrete uric acid as a white / light yellow colloidal suspension
* Birds excrete uric acid as a white / light yellow colloidal suspension
* Urine enter cloaca and mixes with the fecal material
* Urine enter cloaca and mixes with the fecal material
===Salt glands===
====Salt glands====
These glands are found in desert and aquatic birds as salt consumption exceeds renal clearance. These supraorbital glands drain into the nostrils and account for 20% of total NaCl excretion. They are not under the control of kidneys and the hypertrophy if the birds salt intake increases
These glands are found in desert and aquatic birds as salt consumption exceeds renal clearance. These supraorbital glands drain into the nostrils and account for 20% of total NaCl excretion. They are not under the control of kidneys and the hypertrophy if the birds salt intake increases
===Other Roles of the Avian Kidney===
====Other Roles of the Avian Kidney====
* Activates vitamin D
* Activates vitamin D