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In this article, we would discuss the urinary system.
The Urinary System
1. Also known as the renal system, it consists of the urinary bladder, urethra, ureters and kidneys.
2. Kidneys: It is a pair of bean-shaped organs found in the posterior of the abdominal cavity (below the rib cage). The left kidney is located slightly higher than the right kidney since the right side of the liver is larger and takes more space in the abdominal cavity. The kidneys are surrounded by a layer of adipose tissue that protects and holds them in place.
3. Kidneys contain small filtration units called nephrons. Each nephron consists of a ball of small blood capillaries called glomerulus and a tube known as a renal tubule.
4. The function of kidneys is to filter metabolic wastes, excessive ions and chemicals from the blood. Urea (breakdown product of protein) together with other waste substances forms urine, which passes down through the ureters.
5. Ureters: These are responsible for carrying urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. Made up of smooth muscle fibers, it is 25 – 30 cm long and 3 – 4 mm wide.
6. Urinary bladder: Located in the lower abdomen, it is a triangular hollow organ for the storage of urine. It is held in position by ligaments attached to the pelvic bones and other organs. The walls of the urinary bladder contract and expand to release or store urine respectively. The capacity of an adult bladder is 300 – 400ml, above which a person gets an urge to urinate. Two sphincter muscles around the opening of the bladder prevent leakage of urine.
7. Urethra: Two in number, its length varies in men and women. The urethra is shorter in women (4.8 to 5 cm) and comparatively longer in men (20 cm). The urethra allows the urine to exit from the body. The muscles in urethra contract to propel the urine outside the bladder and the sphincter muscle relax to exit the urine through the body.
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