Urinary

Systems
 Introduction
The urinary system plays a vital role in maintaining the body's
balance of fluids and electrolytes. This presentation will explore its
functions, key organs, and common disorders that can affect urinary
health.

The urinary system is also called the excretory system, because held within the
urine are the various excreted products, including by-products such as urea
and uric acid, drugs, excess body fluid and excess salts (electrolytes). These
functions play an important role in maintaining appropriate levels of water and
salts (electrolytes) in the blood.
 What are the organs of the urinary system?

The urinary system consists of 4 major organs; the kidneys, ureters, urinary
bladder and the urethra.
 Main Function of the urinary system

• The urinary system is responsible for filtering blood, removing waste,

balancing electrolytes, and regulating blood pressure. It helps to
maintain homeostasis by controlling the volume and composition of
body fluids.

• Key organs of the urinary system include the kidneys, which filter
blood and produce urine; the ureters, which transport urine from
the kidneys to the bladder; the bladder, which stores urine; and
the urethra, which excretes urine from the body. They all work
together to filter, store and remove liquid waste from your body.
All of the organs in your urinary system are in your abdominal
and pelvic region.
Kidneys

These organs work constantly.

They filter your blood and make pee,
which your body then eliminates. You
have two kidneys, one on either side
of the back of your abdomen, just
below your rib cage. Each kidney is
about as big as your fist. Your kidneys
work hard — they filter about 120 to
150 quarts (113.6 to 141.95 liters) of
blood per day, which produces about 1
to 2 quarts (0.95 to 1.95 liters) of pee
each day.
Two kidneys. This pair of purplish-brown organs is located below the ribs toward
the middle of the back. Their function is to:

• Remove waste products and drugs from the body

• Balance the body's fluids

• Release hormones to regulate blood pressure

• Control production of red blood cells

The kidneys remove urea from the blood through tiny filtering units called
nephrons. Each nephron consists of a ball formed of small blood capillaries,
called a glomerulus, and a small tube called a renal tubule. Urea, together with
water and other waste substances, forms the urine as it passes through the
nephrons and down the renal tubules of the kidney.
Ureters

o These two thin tubes inside your pelvis

carry pee from your kidneys to your
bladder. Each ureter is about 9 inches
long.

o Two ureters. These narrow tubes carry

urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
Muscles in the ureter walls continually
tighten and relax forcing urine
downward, away from the kidneys. If
urine backs up, or is allowed to stand
still, a kidney infection can develop.
About every 10 to 15 seconds, small
amounts of urine are emptied into the
bladder from the ureters.
The urinary bladder is a muscular sac
whose function is to temporarily store
urine. It is located in the pelvis, just
posterior to the pubic symphysis. Its
walls consist of smooth muscle which
allows the bladder to stretch,
permitting the bladder to store an
increasing amount of urine.

When distended with urine, the

bladder sends a signal to the nervous
system to initiate the process of
micturition (urination).

In males, the neck of the bladder is

surrounded by the prostate gland.
 your bladder holds pee until you’re ready to empty it (pee). It’s hollow, made of
muscle, and shaped like a triangular balloon. Your bladder expands as it fills
up. Most bladders can hold up to 2 cups (500 milliliters) of pee at a time.
Peeing is when you empty your bladder.

 This triangle-shaped, hollow organ is located in the lower abdomen. It is held in

place by ligaments that are attached to other organs and the pelvic bones. The
bladder's walls relax and expand to store urine, and contract and flatten to
empty urine through the urethra. The typical healthy adult bladder can store up
to two cups of urine for two to five hours.
 URETHRA
• The urethra is a single thin walled tube that carries urine from the bladder to
outside of the body. It is associated with two urethral sphincters, an internal smooth
muscle (involuntary) urethral sphincter and an external skeletal muscle (voluntary)
urethral sphincter.

• This tube carries pee from your bladder out of your body. You have two sphincter
muscles that close off your urethra to keep pee in when you aren’t using the toilet.
These ring-like muscles open and close to let pee out. Sometimes, these muscles
weaken and it becomes hard to hold your pee in.
The urethra transports urine from the
bladder to the outside of the body
during urination. The urethra is the
only urologic organ that is significantly
different between males and females;
all other urine transport structures are
identical. In females, the urethra is
shorter and closer to the rectum, which
causes increased risk for urinary tract
infections. See Figure 8.7[8] for a
comparison of the female and male
urethra.
• The urethra differs between sexes, • The male urethra has the double
with the female urethra being much function of both urine and semen
shorter in length and the opening transportation.
located anterior to the vagina. The
male urethra is longer as it travels the
length of the penis, with the opening
located at the tip of the glans penis.
What conditions and diseases affect the urinary system?

Many conditions can affect your ureters, kidneys, bladder and urethra. Infections,
diseases or problems can appear at birth or develop as you get older. Cancer can
also affect certain parts of your urinary tract.

1. Infections
Urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause
issues with your kidneys, urethra or bladder. These infections occur when
bacteria enter your urinary tract through your urethra. Your healthcare provider
can prescribe medication (typically antibiotics) to treat an infection.
2. Kidney stones
Kidney stones are small masses that form when waste products clump
together. Kidney stones or ureteral stones (kidney stones that move to your
ureter) can cause severe pain and block the flow of pee.
3. Urination problems
Loss of bladder control or urinary incontinence (leakage), causes pee to leak when
you don’t want it to. It can be worse when you cough, laugh, sneeze or jump.
Overactive bladder happens when you feel the sudden urge to pee more often.
Urinary retention is a condition where your bladder doesn’t completely empty each
time.

Many of these conditions consist of lower urinary tract symptoms like an urge to
pee, a weak urine stream and leaking pee. Medications and lifestyle modifications
can help treat these conditions.

4. Urinary tract obstructions

Growths or tumors in any part of your urinary tract can affect the flow of pee. An
enlarged prostate can block your ureter so it’s harder to pee. Other causes of
ureteral obstruction include pregnancy and gastrointestinal (GI) issues like Crohn’s
disease. Bladder outlet obstruction can also happen and prevent your bladder from
emptying. Surgery can often help with obstructions in your urinary tract.
5. Kidney disease
Kidney disease is a common and serious condition that affects your urinary system.
The most common causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are high blood pressure
and diabetes. Managing blood pressure and blood sugar is crucial to lowering your
risk of kidney disease. Kidney disease can lead to kidney failure. Kidney failure may
require dialysis or a kidney transplant. Talk to your healthcare provider about your
risk for kidney disease so you can take steps to lower your risk.

6. Interstitial cystitis
Also called painful bladder syndrome, this condition causes inflammation in your
bladder. Medications and physical therapy can improve the symptoms of painful
bladder syndrome.
What are common symptoms of urinary tract conditions?

Symptoms vary depending on what condition you have. Many conditions share
similar symptoms, like:

• Changes in how you pee. This could include many different symptoms like having
to pee more or less often and pain when you pee.
• Changes in your pee. This may include pee that’s brown, cloudy or contains
blood.
• Pain in your abdominal region. Since most of your urinary organs are in your
abdomen, people with urinary issues may have pain, tenderness or feel pressure
in that region of their body.
• Fever, muscle aches and general unwell feeling. These could all be symptoms
that indicate infection. You may also experience nausea or vomiting.
What tests can check for urinary system conditions?

The tests your healthcare provider will order to diagnose a condition affecting your
urinary system depend on your symptoms and other factors. Some tests you may
need to have include:

• Urinalysis. A urinalysis (also known as a urine test) is a test that examines the
color, appearance, chemical and microscopic aspects of your pee.
• Kidney functioning test. This test measures how well your kidneys are working. It
can involve both a blood test and a urine test.
• Blood tests. Blood tests can give healthcare providers clues as to what’s going on
inside your body. Blood tests show what types of chemicals, proteins and other
substances are in your blood.
• Urethral swab. Also called a urethral discharge test, this test involves collecting a
sample of discharge from your urethra for testing.
• Urine culture. This type of test involves growing bacteria from a urine sample.
Your provider may order this test after they diagnose a UTI. This helps them
pinpoint exactly what bacteria caused the UTI.
• Imaging tests. Your provider may order imaging tests to diagnose certain
conditions. These include ultrasound, X-ray, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
and CT (computed tomography) scan.
What’s the most common urinary system problem?

 The most common urinary issues are urinary tract infections (UTIs). More than
60% of females will get at least one UTI in their lifetimes.

 More than half of those who’ve given birth will experience urinary incontinence
in their lifetimes, usually due to their pelvic floor muscles stretching.

 Kidney stones are also fairly common, occurring in about 1 in every 10 people.

 About 37 million people in the United States are living with chronic kidney
disease.
Facts about urine

o Normal, healthy urine is a pale

straw or transparent yellow
color.

o Darker yellow or honey

colored urine means you need
more water.

o A darker, brownish color may

indicate a liver problem or
severe dehydration.

o Pinkish or red urine may mean

blood in the urine.
How can I keep my urinary system healthy?

You can try to keep your urinary system healthy with proper hygiene and a healthy
lifestyle. To help your urinary system work the way it should, you can:

1. Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated will flush out your system and can help you
prevent kidney stones and UTIs.
2. Eat a balanced diet. Low-sodium, high-calcium foods may prevent kidney stones.
3. Empty your bladder fully. Make sure you let all of your pee out when you use the
toilet. Don’t hold pee in for long periods of time.
4. Wipe the right way. If you have a vagina, you should always wipe front to back
after using the toilet. Proper wiping reduces the risk of bacteria getting into your
vagina and causing a UTI.
5. Empty your bladder after sex. If you have a vagina, you should use the bathroom
after having sex. Peeing promptly can clear out bacteria and reduce your risk of a
UTI.
6. Practice safe sex. Protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections with a
condom.
 7. Do pelvic floor exercises. Also called Kegel exercises, these can reduce your
risk of urinary incontinence by strengthening the muscles in your pelvic floor.
8. Keep your genital area clean. Use mild soap and water to clean your genitals
and try to bathe or shower daily. Wear comfortable, loose underwear.
When should I call my doctor if I think I might have a problem with my urinary tract?

You should contact your healthcare provider if you’re having trouble or pain when you
pee. It may be a sign of an infection or another condition. Call your provider if you
have:

 Blood in your pee (hematuria)

 Burning sensation, pain or difficulty peeing
 Pain in your pelvic area, lower back, genital area or flank (the back and sides of
your abdomen)
 Trouble holding your pee or problems with leaking pee
 A feeling that something is bulging out of your vagina.
 Urine formation process
• Urine formation occurs through three critical processes: filtration at
the glomerulus, reabsorption in the renal tubules, and secretion of
unwanted substances. Each kidney contains approximately one
million nephrons, the functional units where these processes take
place. The end product is urine, which contains water, electrolytes,
and wastes that are eliminated from the body.
The main function of the urinary system is to remove waste products from the body
and maintain water, electrolyte and acid-base (pH) balance in the blood. It does this
through the formation of urine. Waste products are filtered from the blood into the
urine filtrate by nephrons. Water, electrolyte and acid-base balance is a finely
controlled process of filtration, reabsorption and secretion, also occurring through
nephrons.

The urinary system has a homeostatic relationship with many other body systems, by
which one or both rely on the other for effective functioning. For example the
endocrine system produces hormones such as antidiuretic hormone and aldosterone,
which help to control the kidney’s reabsorption of water and salts. This same water
and salt balance is vital for the accurate function of the muscular system,
cardiovascular system and nervous system. Without appropriate levels of sodium,
potassium and calcium contraction of skeletal and cardiac muscle and the function of
nerves would be disrupted. Further, water and electrolyte balance in the body is
necessary for maintaining blood volume and blood pressure. While systemic blood
pressure of the cardiovascular system is responsible for driving the passive filtration
of water and substances out of the glomerulus into the glomerular capsule.
Other Terms Related to Urine and Urination
Terms commonly used to document conditions related to the urinary system are as
follows:

• Anuria: Absence of urine output, typically found during kidney failure, defined as
less than 50 mL of urine over a 24-hour period.
• Diuresis: Increased production of urine.
• Dysuria: Painful or difficult urination.
• Enuresis: Involuntary urination, especially by children.
• Frequency: The need to urinate several times during the day or night in normal or
less-than-normal volumes. It may be accompanied by a feeling of urgency.[22]
• Hematuria: Blood in the urine, either visualized or found during microscopic
analysis.
• Incontinence: Loss of bladder control.
• Oliguria: Decreased urine output; defined as less than 500 mL of urine in adults in
a 24-hour period.
• Nocturia: The need to get up at night on a regular basis to urinate.
Nocturia often causes sleep deprivation that affects a person’s quality of
life.[23]
• Polyuria: Greater than 2.5 liters of urine output over 24 hours; also
referred to as diuresis.[24] New polyuria should be reported to the health
care provider because it can be a sign of many medical conditions.
• Pruritus: Itchy skin; a common symptom of kidney failure.
• Pyuria: White blood cells in a urine sample indicating infection. In severe
infections, pus may be visible in the urine
• Urgency: A sensation of an urgent need to void.[27] Urgency can cause
urge incontinence if the client is not able to reach the bathroom quickly
Your urinary system plays a critical role in keeping you alive. It filters your blood
and removes waste and excess water through your pee. Your urinary system
includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Conditions like urinary tract
infections (UTIs), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), kidney diseases and
urinary tract obstruction can affect the health of your urinary system. If you have
one of these conditions, talk to your healthcare provider about steps you can take
to stay healthy.
Any questions or clarifications?
THANKYOU FOR LISTENING!
Members:
SANCHEZ, JOHN REY
DELOS ANGELES, NICIE
NONADO, GLENDA