S Of The Urinary System
The major organs of the urinary system are:
- Kidneys – filter the blood, keep the right balance of water in body tissues, and change liquid waste products into urine.
- Ureters – long narrow tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.
- Urinary bladder – a muscular pouch where urine collects and is stored until it is passed out of the body.
- Urethra – narrow tube that passes through the penis and carries urine from the bladder to the outside.
Ureter Structure And Function
The ureters are two tubes that are made out of smooth muscle and transitional epithelial tissues, which are a type of epithelial tissue that may either be columnar or squamous. Each kidney has its own ureter through which urine drains into.
Human urinary system: 1) Human urinary system. 2) Kidney. 3) Renal pelvis. 4) Ureter. 5) Urinary bladder. 6) Urethra . 7) Adrenal gland vessels. 8) Renal artery and vein. 9) Inferior vena cava. 10) Abdominal aorta. 11) Common iliac artery and vein with transparency. 12) Liver. 13) Large intestine. 14) Pelvis.
The ureters are long tubes that have a few points of constriction, where obstructions are more common. The ureters receive a blood supply from a few different major arteries including the renal and illiac artery derivatives, and have a relatively dense nerve supply as well.
Muscles in the walls of the ureters send the urine in small spurts into the bladder, in a process called peristalsis. After the urine enters the bladder from the ureters, small folds in the bladder mucosa act like valves to prevent the backward flow of the urine these are called the ureteral valves. The ureteral valves function similarly to the semilunar valves in the veins of the body, but are structurally different, consisting of transverse mucosal epithelial folds.
When To See A Doctor For Kidney Pain
Kidney pain that you feel in your middle back or that radiates to your abdomen or groin is usually an indicator of a serious health condition.
According to Dr. Charles Patrick Davis, you should visit your doctor promptly if you suspect kidney pain. Some of the warning signs of kidney disease or problems are:
- Sharp flank pain that comes on suddenly
- A dull, constant one-sided pain in your back or side
- Blood in your urine
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Prostate And Prostatic Urethra
Proximal to the bladder neck, male and female urinary anatomy is grossly similar. However, distal to the bladder neck, where the prostate is located, significant differences in the urinary tract are noted. Briefly, the presence of the prostate, above the pelvic floor and below the bladder, is unique to males and reviewed in the Prostate Anatomy article. At the apex of the prostate is the pelvic floor, which consists of the levator ani muscle complex. This is the border at which the prostatic urethra transitions to the membranous urethra.
Male Bladder And Urethra: Basic Diagram Of The Male
The bladder is a musculomembranous sac located on the floor of the pelvic cavity, One of the most common differences is that men have longer urethras than doStudies indicate that the size of a mans prostate gland has little influence on the type or severity of his urination problems, Function & Diagram | Body Mapswww.healthline.comBladder , the bladder is positioned under the uterus, the bladder neckLocated underneath the bladder, However, Obstructing the flow.Bladder Anatomy, when the bladder is emptying as a man is urinating, anterior to the uterus and upper vagina , the fluid storage capacity, Cystitis inflammation of the bladder, producing seminal fluid and, the bladder is about the size and shape
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How Can Someone Cope With Leaking Urine
Even after treatment, some women still leak urine from time to time. Certain products can help women cope with leaking urine:
- Pads. Women can wear disposable pads in their underwear to absorb leaking urine.
- Adult diapers. A woman can wear an adult diaper to keep her clothes dry.
- Waterproof underwear. Waterproof underwear can protect clothes from getting wet.
- Disposable pads. Disposable pads can be used to protect chairs and beds from urine.
- Special skin cleaners and creams. Special skin cleaners and creams may help the skin around the urethra from becoming irritated. Creams can help block urine from skin.
- Urine deodorizing tablets. A woman should talk with a health care professional about whether urine deodorizing tablets can make her urine smell less strongly.
Eating, Diet, and Nutrition
No direct scientific evidence links eating, diet, and nutrition to either improving or worsening urinary incontinence. However, many people find that alcohol, tomatoes, spices, chocolate, caffeinated and citrus beverages, and high-acid foods may contribute to bladder irritation and inflammation, which can sometimes lead to urinary incontinence 12). Moreover, good eating, diet, and nutrition are directly related to preventing factors that increase the chances of developing urinary incontinence, such as obesity and diabetes.
References
Understanding The The Urinary System
The bodys urinary system is also called the renal system, and it is made up of several different organs.1-3 The urinary systems job is to filter out waste and extra water from the blood and remove it from the body in the form of urine. The major organs that make up the urinary system are:
- Two kidneys
- One urethra
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How Is Urinary Incontinence In Men Diagnosed
Men should tell a health care professional, such as a family practice physician, a nurse, an internist, or a urologista doctor who specializes in urinary problemsthey have urinary incontinence, even if they feel embarrassed. To diagnose urinary incontinence, the health care professional will:
- take a medical history
- order diagnostic tests
Medical History
Taking a medical history can help a health care professional diagnose urinary incontinence. He or she will ask the patient or caretaker to provide a medical history, a review of symptoms, a description of eating habits, and a list of prescription and over-the-counter medications the patient is taking. The health care professional will ask about current and past medical conditions.
The health care professional also will ask about the mans pattern of urination and urine leakage. To prepare for the visit with the health care professional, a man may want to keep a bladder diary for several days beforehand. Information that a man should record in a bladder diary includes:
- the amount and type of liquid he drinks
- how many times he urinates each day and how much urine is released
- how often he has accidental leaks
- whether he felt a strong urge to go before leaking
- what he was doing when the leak occurred, for example, coughing or lifting
- how long the symptoms have been occurring
The health care professional also may ask about other lower urinary tract symptoms that may indicate a prostate problem, such as:
Physical Exam
Bladder Control Problems In Men
Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control, resulting in the accidental leakage of urine from the body 1). For example, a man may feel a strong, sudden need, or urgency, to urinate just before losing a large amount of urine, called urgency incontinence.
Urinary incontinence can be slightly bothersome or totally debilitating. For some men, the chance of embarrassment keeps them from enjoying many activities, including exercising, and causes emotional distress. When people are inactive, they increase their chances of developing other health problems, such as obesity and diabetes.
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How Does Each Part Work
In the upper urinary tract, the two kidneys work separately to filter your blood by removing waste products and extra water that have entered your bloodstream, mainly through the process of digesting foods and drinks. Urine is made up of this filtered waste and water. The kidneys work constantly to filter your blood. As the kidneys produce urine, it is stored for a short time in the middle of each kidney, in a small area called the renal pelvis. The renal pelvis inside each kidney is connected to the bladder by a long, thin tube called a ureter. In adults, each ureter is about 12 inches long. The renal pelvis acts like a kind of funnel. It regularly tightens up and sends the urine that has collected in the renal pelvis through the ureter and down into the bladder.
In the lower urinary tract, the bladder is located in the pelvis, just behind the pubic bone. When the bladder is full of urine from the kidneys, you feel the urge to urinate. During urination, the muscles in the bladder tighten and allow urine to flow out of the body through another type of thin tube called the urethra.
How Do The Kidneys And Urinary Tract Work
Blood travels to each kidney through the renal artery. The artery enters the kidney at the hilus , the indentation in middle of the kidney that gives it its bean shape. The artery then branches so blood can get to the nephrons 1 million tiny filtering units in each kidney that remove the harmful substances from the blood.
Each of the nephrons contain a filter called the glomerulus . The fluid that is filtered out from the blood then travels down a tiny tube-like structure called a tubule . The tubule adjusts the level of salts, water, and wastes that will leave the body in pee. Filtered blood leaves the kidney through the renal vein and flows back to the heart.
Pee leaves the kidneys and travels through the ureters to the bladder. The bladder expands as it fills. When the bladder is full, nerve endings in its wall send messages to the brain. When a person needs to pee, the bladder walls tighten and a ring-like muscle that guards the exit from the bladder to the urethra, called the sphincter , relaxes. This lets pee go into the urethra and out of the body.
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What Are Clinical Trials And Are They Right For You
Watch a video of NIDDK Director Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers explaining the importance of participating in clinical trials.
This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health. The NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by the NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.
The NIDDK would like to thank:Ariana L. Smith, M.D., FPMRS,University of Pennsylvania Health System
The Urinary Bladder Is A Reservoir For Urine
Urine flows through the ureters into the urinary bladder. In women, the bladder is located in front of the vagina and below the uterus. In men, the bladder sits in front of the rectum and above the prostate gland. The wall of the bladder contains folds called rugae, and a layer of smooth muscle called the detrusor muscle. As urine fills the bladder, the rugae smooth out to accommodate the volume. The detrusor relaxes to hold the urine, then contracts for urination. An adult bladder is full at about half a liter, or about two cups.
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Pregnancy And Kidney Pain
Pregnancy can sometimes cause kidney pain. Being pregnant puts you at a greater risk of developing a urinary tract infection or blood clots all which can cause a sensation of pain in your middle back.
Dr. Melissa Conrad Stöppler on MedicineNet, says that during pregnancy the uterus becomes enlarged and the urine flows slower. You could even experience vesicoureteral reflux where urine flows back up the urinary tract. This means that it is easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract and spread the infection to the kidneys.14
Where Is The Bladder Located On A Dog
Natasha Lowerywithin the dogs abdomenbetween the rear legs
Also to know is,Where is the gall bladder located in relation to the liver?
behind the liver on the right side of the rib cage
Secondly,Can dogs pass bladder stones?
Many dogs can develop and pass the stones without you even noticing
Just so,Where are the organs located in the rib cage?
Medically reviewed by Healthlines Medical Network on March 20, 2015. The ribs partially enclose and protect the chest cavity, where many vital organs are located. The rib cage is collectively made up of long, curved individual bones with joint-connections to the spinal vertebrae.
How are the thoracic vertebrae and the rib cage connected?
In addition to being connected to adjacent vertebrae, the thoracic vertebrae are also connected to ribs. The cervicothoracic junction is where the neck connects with the upper back .
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Bladder Control Problems In Women
Urinary incontinence in women results when the brain does not properly signal the bladder, the sphincters do not squeeze strongly enough, or both 5). The bladder muscle may contract too much or not enough because of a problem with the muscle itself or the nerves controlling the bladder muscle. Damage to the sphincter muscles themselves or the nerves controlling these muscles can result in poor sphincter function. These problems can range from simple to complex.
A woman may be born with factors that increase her chances of developing urinary incontinence, which include:
- birth defectsproblems with development of the urinary tract
- geneticsa woman is more likely to have urinary incontinence if other females in her family have urinary incontinence
- raceCaucasian women are more likely to be affected than Hispanic/Latina, African American, or Asian American women
Urinary incontinence is not a disease. Urinary incontinence can be a symptom of certain conditions or the result of certain events during a womans life. Conditions or events that may increase a womans chance of developing urinary incontinence include:
How Is Urinary Incontinence In Men Treated
Treatment depends on the type of urinary incontinence.
Urgency Incontinence
As a first line of therapy for urgency incontinence, a health care professional may recommend the following techniques to treat a mans problem:
- behavioral and lifestyle changes
If those treatments are not successful, the following additional measures may help urgency incontinence:
- medications
- bulking agents
- surgery
A health care professional may recommend other treatments for men with urgency incontinence caused by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
Behavioral and lifestyle changes. Men with urgency incontinence may be able to reduce leaks by making behavioral and lifestyle changes:
To Help Prevent Bladder Problems, Stop Smoking
People who smoke should stop. Quitting smoking at any age promotes bladder health and overall health. Smoking increases a persons chance of developing stress incontinence, as it increases coughing. Some people say smoking worsens their bladder irritation. Smoking causes most cases of bladder cancer. People who smoke for many years have a higher risk of bladder cancer than nonsmokers or those who smoke for a short time 3).
Medications. Health care professionals may prescribe medications that relax the bladder, decrease bladder spasms, or treat prostate enlargement to treat urgency incontinence in men.
Tricyclic antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine can calm nerve signals, decreasing spasms in bladder muscles.
Stress Incontinence
Functional Incontinence
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How Common Is Urinary Incontinence In Men
Urinary incontinence occurs in 11 to 34 percent of older men. Two to 11 percent of older men report daily urinary incontinence 2). Although more women than men develop urinary incontinence, the chances of a man developing urinary incontinence increase with age because he is more likely to develop prostate problems as he ages. Men are also less likely to speak with a health care professional about urinary incontinence, so urinary incontinence in men is probably far more common than statistics show. Having a discussion with a health care professional about urinary incontinence is the first step to fixing this treatable problem.
What Are The Types Of Urinary Incontinence In Women
The types of urinary incontinence in women include:
- Stress incontinence
- Other types of incontinence
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence results from movements that put pressure on the bladder and cause urine leakage, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or physical activity. Physical changes from pregnancy and childbirth often cause stress incontinence. Weakening of pelvic floor muscles can cause the bladder to move downward, pushing the bladder slightly out of the bottom of the pelvis and making it difficult for the sphincters to squeeze tightly enough. As a result, urine can leak during moments of physical stress. Stress incontinence can also occur without the bladder moving downward if the urethra wall is weak. This type of incontinence is common in women, and a health care professional can treat the condition.
Urgency Incontinence
Urgency incontinence is the loss of urine when a woman has a strong desire, or urgency, to urinate. Involuntary bladder contractions are a common cause of urgency incontinence. Abnormal nerve signals might cause these bladder contractions.
Triggers for women with urgency incontinence include drinking a small amount of water, touching water, hearing running water, or being in a cold environmenteven if for just a short whilesuch as reaching into the freezer at the grocery store. Anxiety or certain liquids, medications, or medical conditions can make urgency incontinence worse.
Mixed Incontinence
Other Types of Incontinence
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Penis And Penile Urethra
The penile urethra runs through the penis, within the corpus spongiosum. The urethra exits distally through the glans penis, within which it becomes the fossa navicularis . The opening of the urethra on the tip of the glans penis is the urethral meatus. Further information can be found in the Penile Anatomy article. See the image below.
The Upper And Lower Urinary Tracts
The urinary system has two parts: the upper urinary tract and the lower urinary tract. Together, the two kidneys and two ureters make up the upper urinary tract. The lower urinary tract contains the bladder and the urethra. Men and women have the same upper urinary tract, but their lower urinary tracts are different.
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