Urinary System Overview - Anatomy & Physiology
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Background Information
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 throught 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 play 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.
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
Erythropoietin production
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