What is The Genitourinary System?

Functions of the Genitourinary System

The urinary system maintains the composition and properties of the body fluid that establishes the internal environment of the body cells. The end product of the urinary system is urine, which is voided from the body during micturition (urination).

It consists of two kidneys, two ureters, the urinary bladder, and the urethra. Tubules in the kidneys are intertwined with vascular networks of the circulatory system to enable the production of urine. After the urine is formed, it is moved through the ureters to the urinary bladder for storage. Micturition, or voiding of urine from the urinary bladder, occurs through the urethra.

The urinary system, along with the respiratory, digestive, and integumentary systems, excretes substances from the body. For this reason, these systems are occasionally referred to as excretory systems. In the process of cellular metabolism, nutrients taken in by the digestive system and oxygen from inhaled air are used to synthesize a variety of substances while providing energy needed for body maintenance. Metabolic processes, however, produce cellular wastes that must be eliminated if homeostatis is to be maintained. Just as the essential nutrients are transported to the cells by the blood, the cellular wastes are removed through the circulatory system to the appropriate excretory system. Carbon dioxide is eliminated through the respiratory system; excessive water, salts, nitrogenous wastes, and even excessive metabolic heat are removed through the integumentary system; and various digestive wastes are eliminated through the digestive system.

The urinary system is the principal system responsible for water and electrolyte balance. Electrolytes are compounds that separate into ions when dissolved in water. Electrolyte balance is achieved when the number of electrolytes entering the body equals the number leaving. Hydrogen ions, for example, are maintained in precise concentration so that an acid-base, or pH, balance exists in the body.

A second major function of the urinary system is the excretion of toxic nitrogenous compounds—specifically, urea and creatinine. Other functions of the urinary system include the elimination of toxic wastes that may result from bacterial action and the removal of various drugs that have been taken into the body. All of these functions are accomplished through the formation of urine by the kidneys.

Blood to be processed by a kidney enters through the large renal artery. After the filtration process (see the kidneys), it exits through the renal vein. The importance of filtration of the blood is demonstrated by the fact that during normal resting conditions the kidneys receive approximately 20% to 25% of the entire cardiac output. Every minute, the kidneys process approximately 1,200 ml of blood.

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