Urinary System

A&P-II Unit II

M. Iqbal
Lecture
KMU
 Objectives
At the end of this unit, the students will be able to:
• Define the Urinary System.
• Enlist the organs of Urinary system
• Briefly discuss the functions of kidney.
• Discuss kidneys in terms of external anatomy, gross
structure & microscopic structure.
• Describe the role of each component of nephron in
terms of filtration, selective reabsorption & secretion
involved in the formation of urine.
• Discuss the structure and functions of ureters,Urinary
bladder, and Urethra.
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 Definitions
• Urinary System: The system which is specialized
to filter the blood plasma, excrete waste
products , and regulate the body’s water, acid-
base, and electrolyte balance.
• Nephrology: The scientific study of the anatomy,
physiology, and pathology of the kidneys.
• Urology: The branch of medicine which deals
with the male and female urinary systems and
the male reproductive system.

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 Organs of the urinary system

Urinary system consists of six organs:

• Two kidneys
• Two ureters
• One urinary bladder
• One urethra

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 Functions of the Kidneys

• Excretion of wastes: filter blood plasma to

eliminate waste (like metabolic, drug, toxic) from
body.
• Regulation of blood ionic composition: They help
regulate the blood levels of several ions like Na+,
K+, Ca+, Cl-, PO4 2- etc.
• Regulation of blood PH: The kidneys regulate H+
and HCO3- to maintain blood PH.
• Regulation of blood volume: The kidneys adjust
blood volume by conserving or eliminating water
in the urine. 5
• Regulation of blood pressure: The kidneys regulate blood
pressure by secreting the enzyme renin, which activate
the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone pathway.
• Maintenance of blood osmolarity: By loosing water and
solutes they maintain the blood osmolarity.
• Production of hormones:
• JG cells secrete renin in response to  renal perfusion
• Secrete erythropoietin in response to hypoxia
• Forms calcitriol (1,25 dihydrocholecalceferol)
• Secrete prostaglandin that dilates aa and  GFR
• Regulation of blood glucose level: In times of starvation,
they use the amino acid ‘glutamine’ in gluconeogenesis.
• Detoxification of drugs: The kidneys detoxify drugs and
free radicals through peroxisome. 6
 Anatomy of the Kidneys
• The paired kidneys are bean-shaped.
• Located between the levels of the last thoracic and third
lumber vertebrae.
• Partially protected by the eleventh and twelfth pairs of
ribs.
• Lying just above the waist between the peritoneum and
the posterior wall of the abdomen, hence they are said
to be retroperitoneal (retro= behind) for their position.
• The right kidney is slightly lower than the left because
the liver occupies considerable space on the right side
superior to the kidney. 7
 External Anatomy
• A typical adult kidney is 10—12 cm long, 5—6 cm
wide, and 3 cm thick.
• It weighs about 135—150 g.
• The concave border of each kidney faces the
vertebral column.
• Near the center of the concave border is a deep
vertical fissure called the renal hilum, through
which the ureter emerges from the kidney along
with blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.
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• Three layers of tissue surround each kidney.
• The superficial layer, the renal fascia, is a thin layer
of connective tissue that anchors it to the
abdominal wall.
• The middle layer, the adipose capsule or perirenal
fat, is a fatty tissue which protects the kidney from
trauma.
• The deep layer, the renal or fibrous capsule which
is a smooth and transparent sheet of dense
connective tissue. It protects the kidney from
trauma.
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 Internal Anatomy of the Kidneys
• A frontal section of the kidney shows two distinct regions: a
superficial reddish area called renal cortex (cortex= bark) and a
deep reddish inner region called renal medulla (medulla= inner
part).
• The renal cortex is smooth textured area extending from the
renal capsule to the bases of the renal pyramids and into the
spaces between them.
• The portions of the renal cortex that extend between renal
pyramids are called renal columns.
• Renal cortex is divided into an outer cortical zone and an inner
juxtamedullary zone.
• The renal medulla consists of cone shaped renal pyramids. The
base (wider end) of each pyramid faces the renal cortex, and its
apex (narrower end) called a renal papilla points toward the 10
• Together, the renal cortex and renal pyramids
constitute the parenchyma (functional portion) of the
kidney.
• Within the parenchyma are the microscopic functional
units of the kidney called nephrons— about 1 million
in each kidney.
• Urine formed by the nephrons drains into the
papillary ducts of the pyramids.
• The papillary ducts drain into cuplike structures called
minor and major calyces (calyx= cup). Each kidney has
8 to 18 minor calyces and 2 to 3 major calyces.
• From the major calyces, urine drains into a single large
cavity called the renal pelvis (pelv = basin) and then
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• The renal papilla is the location where the renal
pyramids in the medulla empty urine into the
minor calyx in the kidney.
• Histologically it is marked by medullary collecting
ducts converging to form a papillary duct to
channel the fluid.

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kidney 1: A longitudinal section, B nephron and adjacent blood vessels;
1 renal papilla, 2 renal column, 3 capsule, 4 renal pyramid, 5 calyx, 6 ureter, 7 renal
pelvis, 8. renal vein, 9 renal artery, 10 interlobar artery, 11 arcuate
artery, 12 interlobular artery, 13 interlobar vein, 14 cortex, 15 interlobular
vein, 16 renal sinus, 17 arcuate vein,18 medulla, 19 vasa recta, 20 loop of
Henle, 21 collecting duct, 22 arcuate vein, 23 arcuate artery, 24 proximal convoluted
tubule, 25 glomerulus, 26 Bowman's capsule, 27 distal convoluted tubule
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 Blood Flow of Kidney

• Renal artery  Interlobar a.  Arcuate a. 

Interlobular a.  Afferent a.  Glomerulus 
Efferent a.  Peritubular cap. Network and Vasa
recta  Interlobular vein  Arcuate v. 
Interlobar v.  Renal v.

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 Nephron
• Nephrons are the functional units of the kidneys.
• Each nephron consists of two main parts: a renal
corpuscle, where blood plasma is filtered, and a
renal tubule into which the filtered fluid passes.
• Renal corpuscle consists of glomerulus (capillary
network) and the glomerular (Bowman’s)
capsule, an epithelial cup that surrounds the
glomerular capillaries.

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 Nephron cont….

• Blood plasma is filtered in the glomerular capsule, and

then the filtered fluid passes into the renal tubule.
• The renal tubule has three main parts. In the order
that fluid passes through it is:
• 1) proximal convoluted tubule, 2) loop of Henle, and
3) distal convoluted tubule.
• The distal convoluted tubules of several nephrons
empty into a single collecting duct.
• Collecting ducts then unite and converge into large
papillary ducts, which drain into the minor calyces,
major calyces, renal pelvis and then ureter.
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Nephron of the kidney. The labeled parts are:
1. Glomerulus, 2. Efferent arteriole, 3. Bowman's capsule, 4. Proximal
convoluted tubule, 5. Cortical collecting duct, 6. Distal convoluted tubule,
7. Loop of Henle, 8. Duct of Bellini, 9.Peritubular capillaries, 10. Arcuate
vein, 11. Arcuate artery, 12. Afferent arteriole, 13. Juxtaglomerular
apparatus.
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 Flow of urine
Through Nephron down from Nephron

Bowman’s capsule Collecting ducts

Proximal conv. Tubule Papillary duct
Minor calyces
Descending limb of Major calyces
loop of Henle Renal pelvis
Ascending limb of loop Ureter
of Henle Bladder
Urethra
Distal conv. Tubule
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 Types of Nephron
Two types:
• Cortical Nephron—Renal corpuscle originates from
the superficial part of the cortex. It has a shorter
loop of Henle.
• Juxtamedullary Nephron—Renal corpuscle
originates from the deeper part of the cortex,
means near the medulla. It has a longer loop of
Henle.

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Cortical and Juxta-medullary Nephrons

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Cortical and Juxta-medullary Nephrons

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 Histology of Nephron and Collecting Duct
Epithelial cells form the wall of the glomerular
capsule, renal tubule, and ducts.
 Glomerular (Bowman’s) capsule consists of
visceral and parietal layer.
• The visceral layer consists of modified simple
squamous epithelial cells called podocytes—
footlike projections (pedicles) wrap around the
single layer of endothelial cells of the glomerular
capilaries and form the inner wall of the capsule.

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 Nephron cont…
• The parietal layer of the glomerular capsule
consists of simple squamous epithelium and
forms the outer wall of the capsule.
• Fluid filtered from the glomerular capillaries
enter the capsular (Bowman’s) space, the
space between the two layers of the Bowman
capsule.

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 Renal Tubule and Collecting Duct: The proximal
convoluted tubule consists of simple cuboidal
epithelial cells with microvilli on their inner surface
facing the lumen to increase its surface area for
reabsorption and secretion.
• The thick ascending limb (last part) of the loop of
Henle is composed of simple columnar epithelium
which comes in contact with the afferent arteriole.
• The columnar epithelial cells in this region are
crowded together and form macula densa
(macula= spot; densa= dense).
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 Nephron cont…
• Alongside the macula densa, the walls of the
afferent and efferent arterioles contain
smooth muscle fibers called juxtaglomerular
(JG) cells.
• Both macula densa and JG cells form
juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) which helps
in regulating blood pressure.

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• The distal convoluted tubule (DCT) begins a short
distance past the macula densa. In the last part of
DCT there are two types of cells.
• The Principal cells, which have receptors for both
antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and aldosterone that
reabsorb Na+, water and secrete K+.
• The intercalated cells, which regulate blood PH by
secreting H+ and reabsorbing HCO3 and K+.
• The collecting ducts drain into the papillary ducts.

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 Urine Formation in Nephron
• To produce urine, nephron and collecting ducts
perform three basic processes—glomerular
filtration, tubular reabsorption, and tubular
secretion.
• 1. Glomerular Filtration: In the first step of urine
production, water and most solutes in blood
plasma move across the wall of the glomerular
capillaries into the glomerular capsule and then
into the renal tubule.

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 Urine Formation Cont…

• Glomerular Filtration Rate

• The amount of filtrate formed in all the renal
corpuscles of both kidneys each minute is the
glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In adults, the GFR
averages 125 ml/min (180 liters/day) in males and
105 ml/min (150 liters/day) in females.

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 Urine Formation Cont…
Net Filtration Pressure
Glomerular filtration depends on three main
pressures. One pressure promotes filtration while
the two pressures oppose filtration as:
i. Glomerular Blood Hydrostatic Pressure (GBHP): It
is the blood pressure in the glomerular capillaries
which is about 55 mmHg. It promotes filtration by
forcing water and solutes from blood plasma
through the filtration membrane.
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 Urine Formation Cont…

ii. Capsular Hydrostatic Pressure (CHP): is the hydrostatic

pressure exerted against the filtration membrane by
fluid already in the capsular space and renal tubule. CHP
opposes filtration which is about 15 mmHg.
iii. Blood Colloid Osmotic Pressure (BCOP): is due to the
presence of proteins such as albumen, globulins, and
fibrinogens in the blood plasma. It also opposes
filtration which is about 30 mmHg.
 Net filtration pressure remains 10 mmHg which is
responsible for filtration process.

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 Urine Formation Cont…

2. Tubular Reabsorption: As the filter fluid flows along the

renal tubule and the collecting duct, the cells in the
tubule reabsorb about 99% of the filtered fluid and
many useful solutes. Thus, the water and solutes
(glucose, amino acids and electrolytes) return to the
blood.
Sites of Reabsorption almost all the segments
PCT: H2O, glucose, amino acids, Na+, K+, Ca++, HCO3-, Uric
acid
Loop of Henle: Na+,Cl-, Ca++
DCT: H2O, Na+, Ca++, HCO3-
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 Urine Formation Cont…
3. Tubular secretion: As the fluid flows along the
renal tubule and the collecting duct, their cells
secrete other materials, such as wastes, drugs, and
excess ions, into the fluid. Thus tubular secretion
removes waste substances from the blood.
• H+, organic acids and bases in PCT
• Urea in Loop of Henle (thin segment)
• K+, H+, NH3 in DCT and collecting duct

 Urine Excretion = Filtration—Reabsorption + Secretion

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 Hormones affecting Renal Function
Hormone Target Effects
Aldosterone Distal tubule, collecting duct  Na reabsorption and K secretion;
 urine volume
Angiotensin II Afferent and efferent Constricts arterioles, reduces GFR;
arterioles stimulates ADH and aldosterone
secretion; stimulates thirst; H2O intake
and urine output
ADH Collecting duct  H2O reabsorption; urine output,
increases concentration
ANP Afferent and efferent Dilates afferent arteriole, constricts
arterioles, collecting duct efferent arteriole, GFR; inhibits
secretion of renin, ADH, and
aldosterone; inhibits NaCl reabsorption
by collecting duct; urine output
Epi and Norepi JG apparatus, affr arteriole Induces renin secretion; constricts
afferent arteriole;  GFR and urine out

PTH Proximal and distal tubules, Ca++ reabsorption by loop and distal
nephron loop tubule and Mg++ reabsorption by PCT;
inhibits phosphate reabsorption by PCT;
promotes calcitriol Synthesis

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 Histology of Ureter
• The Ureters are thick walled tubes which are 25-30 cm long
and 1 to 10 mm in diameter.
 Layers of ureter
• Adventitia ---- outer fibrous layer (lamina propia)
• Muscularis ----- middle smooth muscle layer. It consists of
outer circular and inner longitudinal layer in the upper 2/3
while another outer longitudinal layer is added in the lower
1/3
• Mucosa----- the innermost folded mucous layer forming
star shape.
• The ureters open obliquely through the wall of the
posterior aspect of the urinary bladder. 43
 Urinary Bladder

• The urinary bladder is a hollow, distensible

muscular organ situated in the pelvic cavity
posterior to the pubic symphysis.
• In males it is anterior to the rectum; in females, it is
anterior to the vagina and inferior to the uterus.
• Folds of the peritoneum hold the urinary bladder in
position.
• It rises into the abdominal cavity when it is full.
Urinary bladder capacity averages 700—800 ml.
• it is smaller in females because of the uterus. 44
• In the floor of the urinary bladder is a small triangular
area called the trigone.
• The two posterior corners of the trigone contain the
two ureteral openings and internal urethral orifice.
• The three tissue layers of the wall of the urinary
bladder are the same as those of the ureters. The
muscularis that surrounds the mucosa is also called
detrusor muscle (detrusor= to push down).
• Rugae (the folds in the mucosa) are also present to
permit expansion of the bladder.
• Inferior to the internal urethral sphincter is the
external urethral sphincter which is under voluntary
control. 45
Urinary Bladder

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 Urethra
• The urethra is a small tube leading from the internal
urethral orifice in the floor of the urinary bladder to the
exterior of the body.
• Urethra in female is shorter (4 cm) than that in the male
(20 cm).
• There are two urethral sphincters, internal and external.
 The internal sphincter muscle of urethra: located at the
bladder's inferior end and the urethra's proximal end at
the junction of the urethra with the urinary bladder. The
internal sphincter is made of smooth muscle, therefore
it is under involuntary or autonomic control.
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 The external sphincter muscle of urethra:
• located at the bladder's distal inferior end in females
and inferior to the prostate (at the level of the
membranous urethra) in males.
• Unlike the internal sphincter muscle, the external
sphincter is made of skeletal muscle, therefore it is
under voluntary control of the somatic nervous system.
The male urethra is subdivided into three regions:
• Prostatic urethra—passes through prostate
• Membranous urethra—the shortest portion which
passes through the deep perineal muscles.
• Spongy urethra—the longest portion which passes
through the penis 48
Urethral sphincters

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 Micturition

• Discharge of urine from the urinary bladder is called micturition

(mictur=urinate).
• It is also called urination or voiding.
• Micturition occurs through a combination of involuntary and
voluntary muscle contractions.
• When the volume of urine in the bladder reaches 200—400 ml,
pressure within the bladder increases , and stretch receptors in
its wall transmit nerve impulses into the spinal cord.
• These impulses propagate to the micturition center in the
sacral cord segments S2 and S3 and trigger a spinal reflex called
the micturition reflex. In this reflex action, parasympathetic
impulses propagate from the micturition center to the urinary
bladder wall and internal urinary sphincter. 50
• The parasympathetic nerve impulses cause
contraction of the detrusor muscle and the
relaxation of the internal urethral sphincter
muscle.
• Simultaneously, the micturition center inhibits
somatic motor neurons that innervate skeletal
muscle in the external urethral sphincter.
• Upon contraction of the urinary bladder wall and
relaxation of the sphincters, urination takes place.

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