Renal System

Definition, Functions &

Diseases

Also known as urinary
system or urinary tract and
under influence of endocrine
system, circulatory system &
nervous system.
Urine is formed in the
kidneys through a filtration
of blood.
Renal System
Works with the lungs, skin
Consists of the kidneys,
and intestines to maintain
ureters, bladder and the
the balance of chemicals and
urethra.
water in the body.
Urine travels from the
kidneys through two thin When the bladder is full, a
tubes called ureters and fills person urinates through
the bladder. urethra to eliminate waste.
 Meaning

Functions Synthesize – To produce something

chemically

• Regulate blood volume and composition (e.g.

sodium, potassium and calcium)
• Regulate blood pressure.
• Regulate pH homeostasis of the blood.
• Contributes to the production of red blood cells
by the kidney.
• Helps synthesize calcitriol (active form of
Vitamin D).
• Stores waste product (mainly urea and uric acid)
before it and other products are removed from the
body.
 Urine formation
Average production (adult) is about 1-2 L per day

Medical attention is required IF producing too much / too little urine

Polyuria (excessive urine production > 2.5 L per day)

Oliguria (< 400 mL) & Anuria (<100 mL)  inadequate urine production

Nephron (basic structural unit of the kidney)  regulate the concentration of water & insoluble substances by
filtering the blood, reabsorbing what is needed & excreting the rest
 Factors affecting Urine Production

State of Environmental
Activity level
hydration factors

Individual’s
Weight Age
health
 Prevent the
build up of
wastes and extra
fluid in the body

Keep levels of
electrolytes,
Keep bones such as
strong potassium and
phosphate,
Importance stable

of Urinary
Tract

Make hormones
Make red blood that help
cells regulate blood
pressure
Diseases
• Incontinence (lack of voluntary control over
urination)
• Kidney stones (clumps of calcium oxalate that
can be found anywhere in the urinary tract)
• Kidney failure (inability of the kidneys to filter
waste from the blood, often caused by diabetes
& hypertension)
• Bladder cancer (back or pelvic pain, difficulty
urinating or frequent urination, mimic other
disease of the renal system)
Ways to Keep Your Bladder
Healthy/Prevent Kidney Diseases

• Drink enough water

• Limit alcohol and caffeine
• Quit smoking
• Eating plenty of high fiber foods
• Keep a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Take enough time to fully empty the
bladder when urinating
Urinary System
Anatomy
1. Human Urinary System
2. Kidney
3. Renal pelvis
4. Ureter
5. Urinary bladder
6. Urethra
7. Adrenal gland
8. Renal artery & vein
9. Inferior vena cava
10. Abdominal aorta
11. Common iliac artery & vein
12. Liver
13. Large intestine
14. Pelvis
Sources
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urinary_system
• https://www.livescience.com/27012-urinary-system.html#:~:text=The
%20urinary%20system%2C%20also%20known,ureters%20and%20fil
ls%20the%20bladder
• https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/urinar
y-tract-how-it-works