Urinary System and Dermatological Disorders

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WEEK 9 URINARY SYSTEM AND DERMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS The urinary system, also known as the renal system, consists of the two kidneys, ureters, the bladder, and the urethra. Each kidney consists of millions of functional units called nephrons. The purpose of the renal system is to eliminate wastes from the body, regulate blood volume and pressure, control levels of electrolytes and metabolites, and regulate blood pH. The kidneys have extensive blood supply via the renal arteries which leave the kidneys via the renal vein. Following filtration of blood and further processing, waste (urine) exit the kidney via the ureters, tubes made of smooth muscle fibers that propel urine towards the urinary bladder, where it is stored and subsequently expelled from the body by urination. The female and male urinary system are very similar, differing only in the length of the urethra. Urine is formed in the kidneys through a filtration of blood. The urine is then passed through the ureters to the bladder, where it is stored. During urination the urine is passed from the bladder through the urethra to the outside of the body. There are several functions of the urinary system which include removal of waste product from the body, regulation of electrolyte balance, Regulation acid-base hemostasis, controlling blood volume and maintaining blood pressure. The urinary system is complicated and multi-faceted system that involves the entire body to maintain balance within the body. Since the urinary system is the sole operating system for fluid elimination, the system can be compromised with viruses and bacteria. There are several extremely common illnesses that are associated with the urinary system such as kidney stones, cystitis, urethritis, and kidney infections (glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis). There is an upper tract infection which is the pyelonephritis and a lower tract

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