Urinary system
Learning objectives
After completing this study unit you will be able to:
- Identify the organs that comprise the urinary system.
- Learn their position in the abdominal and pelvic cavities.
- Get familiar with the main functions of the urinary organs individually, and the urinary system as a whole.
Watch video
The urinary system is divided into two parts:
- The upper part, that includes the kidneys and the ureters,
- The lower part, that consists of the urinary bladder and the urethra.
The organs of the urinary system work together to remove excess fluid and other waste materials from the bloodstream, and also to store, transport and excrete urine from the body.
This video tutorial will introduce you to the main structures of the urinary system and their function in the body.
Take a quiz
Solidify your knowledge and resolve any potential weak spots with our quiz.
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Download the following PDF worksheets and learn the different parts of the urinary system!
Browse atlas
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Review each component of the urinary system individually with our atlas gallery.
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/kidneys/xJJfPDnD6k1NO1dlmm5dSA_kidney.png "Kidney (Ren); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ureter-18/RUknCaAQXZMm5E4g4JqtQ_Ureter.png "Ureter; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/abdominal-part-of-ureter/8A023XWFM7czLBaU2C1cQ_Ureter_pars_abdominalis_02.png "Abdominal part of ureter (Pars abdominalis ureteris); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/pars-pelvica-ureteris/FefCBZImNcH6upbZvba3g_Ureter_pars_pelvica_01.png "Pelvic part of ureter (Pars pelvica ureteris); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/vesica-urinaria-3/lshjKMsazVt24ZHv5Jjjvw_Vesica_urinaria_01.png "Urinary bladder (Vesica urinaria); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/vesica-urinaria/7psmn7hmvsK0BaFxDhZbA_Vesica_urinaria_01.png "Urinary bladder (Vesica urinaria); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/detrusor-urinae-muscle/a0y3OO1oT2g4ZIgbxt9qw_M._detrusor_vesicae_02.png "Detrusor vesicae muscle (Musculus detrusor vesicae); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ureteric-orifice/HNiown83FpdEG3EQNc8qOQ_Ureteric_orifice.png "Ureteric orifice (Ostium ureteris); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/interureteral-fold/N83qL8RxbxtALrjDXpRwPA_Plicia_interureterica_02.png "Interureteric crest (Plica interureterica); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/trigonum-vesicae/oaAcMOP76l3BQbUoCmAaw_Trigonum_vesicae_01.png "Trigone of urinary bladder (Trigonum vesicae urinariae); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/internal-urethral-orifice/mPDF2Z9VhiMM4r8SOWUA8Q_Internal_urethral_orifice.png "Internal urethral orifice (Ostium internum urethrae); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-sphincter-urethrae-internus/tdss0FRN2y23C5zSm6v5Q_M._sphincter_urethrae_internus_01.png "Internal urethral sphincter (Musculus sphincter internus urethrae); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-sphincter-urethrae-externus-4/Ji1WuW7ZjFoLyV3w6PHDg_M._sphincter_uhrethrae_externus_01.png "Male external urethral sphincter (Musculus sphincter externus urethrae masculinae); Image: Samantha Zimmerman"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/musculus-sphincter-urethrae-externus-2/r3yXeBRPwoD08HPXCSuEeQ_External_urethral_sphincter.png "Female external urethral sphincter (proper) (Musculus sphincter externus proprius urethrae femininae); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/urethra/Jt8j6K5T8hgiRCWZu4aA_Urethra_01.png "Urethra; Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/female-urethra-1/dADIxSOJJuRit9owgoH8g_Jt8j6K5T8hgiRCWZu4aA_Urethra_01.png "Female urethra (Urethra feminina); Image: Irina Münstermann"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/male-urethra-1/FTHbfGT2dBjMF1hnf6w4hA_Male_urethra.png "Male urethra (Urethra masculina); Image: Samantha Zimmerman"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/opening-of-duct-of-para-urethral-gland-1/z2s9dSJaOl3gAA8HVYkjwA_Opening_of_duct_of_para-urethral_gland_magnified.png "Opening of paraurethral gland (Ostium glandulae paraurethralis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/fossa-navicularis-urethrae/vRTxi9GNjrbtEpuPg137w_Fossa_navicularis_urethrae_01.png "Navicular fossa of urethra (Fossa navicularis urethrae); Image: Samantha Zimmerman"){kind=logo}
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Summary
|
Function |
Elimination of fluid and waste from body; regulation of blood volume, pressure, pH and electrolyte balance via urine production and excretion |
| Upper (abdominal) part |
Kidneys: Blood filtration, urine production; reabsorption of useful substances (electrolytes, amino acids); elimination of waste into urine Ureters: Urine transportation from kidneys to urinary bladder |
| Lower (pelvic) part |
Urinary bladder: Urine storage and urination control Urethra: Urine transportation from urinary bladder to outside of body (in males additional function is transportation of semen after ejaculation) |
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