What are the main components of the human urinary system and what are their functions?

An explanation of the reproductive system

In order to keep the body's chemical and water balance, the urinary system collaborates with the skin, lungs, and intestines. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), adults typically remove between 27 and 68 fluid ounces (800–2,000 milliliters) each day, based on a daily fluid consumption of 68 ounces (2 liters). The fluid lost from respiration and perspiration are additional elements that affect the operation of the urinary system. Furthermore, other drug classes, like diuretics, which are occasionally prescribed to treat high blood pressure, can also have an impact on how much urine a person produces and excretes. Certain drinks, like alcohol and caffeine, can also make some people urinate more frequently.

The kidneys are the main organs of the urinary system. They are bean-shaped organs in the middle of the back, directly below the rib cage. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the kidneys filter waste products called urea, which are created when proteins break down, out of the blood through tiny structures called nephrons. A renal tubule, a small tube, and a glomerulus, a ball made of tiny blood capillaries, make up each nephron. As urine travels through the kidney's nephrons and renal tubules, it combines with water and other waste materials to form urine.

Urine leaves the kidneys and goes to the bladder through two tiny tubes called ureters. The Cleveland Clinic states that the ureters are approximately 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 centimeters) long.

According to the NIH, the muscles in the ureter walls constantly contract and relax to push urine away from the kidneys. A kidney infection may result from a urine backup. Every ten to fifteen seconds, the ureters release tiny amounts of urine into the bladder.

The bladder is an organ in the pelvis that is hollow and shaped like a balloon. The Kidney & Urology Foundation of America states that ligaments connected to the pelvic bones and other organs hold it in place. Until the brain tells the bladder that the user is ready to empty it, the bladder holds onto pee. A healthy, functioning bladder can comfortably hold 16 ounces, or nearly half a liter, of urine for two to five hours.

Sphincters, which are circular muscles, firmly shut the opening of the bladder into the urethra, the tube that allows urine to exit the body, to stop leaks. The length of the urethra is the only distinction between the urinary systems of men and women, according to Merck Manuals. The urethra is located between the clitoris and the female reproductive system in females and measures approximately 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5.1 cm) in length. It extends the entire length of the male reproductive system in males and opens at the tip. It measures roughly 8 inches (20 cm) in length. During ejaculation, the male urethra is used to expel both urine and semen.


Diseases of the urinary tract



Urinary tract disorders are treated by various specialists. According to the American Urological Association (AUA), urologists treat issues with the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters, bladder, and urethra, while nephrologists treat diseases of the kidneys. Gynecologists frequently treat female urinary diseases and disorders, including yeast infections, while urologists also treat male reproductive organs. Depending on the illness, urologists and nephrologists frequently collaborate with oncologists or endocrinologists.

Bacteria that enter the urinary tract can cause UTIs (urinary tract infections), which can impact the kidneys, bladder, or urethra. Men can get UTIs, although women are more likely to get them. Antibiotics are usually used to treat UTIs, says Denver endocrinologist Dr. Oscar Aguirre. The American Urological Association estimates that 8.1 million Americans experience a urinary tract infection annually.

Another common urinary system illness is incontinence. Urologic surgeon S. Adam, founder of Urology Cancer Specialists in Los Angeles, stated, "A frequent urge to urinate and urine leakage are the most common bladder problems I see in my practice among women." "Incomplete bladder emptying and nighttime urination are the two most common bladder issues among men. This is typically brought on by an enlarged prostate that obstructs the bladder's ability to empty."
Difficulties may arise from a female reproductive system delivery or from a pelvic prolapse, which may cause leakage. The overactive bladder is another common condition that is unrelated to trauma or having children, according to Aguirre. Overflow is a third condition in which the bladder does not empty entirely.

Holding your urine for a short period of time, usually up to one hour, is typically okay, Adam stated. On the other hand, holding pee for an extended period of time repeatedly can lead to overstretching of the bladder's capacity, increased pressure inside the kidneys, and difficulty emptying the bladder entirely. These issues can then result in kidney function degradation, cystitis, and UTIs (urinary tract infections).

According to Aguirre, some typical therapies include prescription drugs, physical therapy, and pelvic mesh surgery. He clarified that female reproductive system laser surgery is increasingly emerging as a treatment option. "In another 10 to 15 years, female reproductive system laser surgery will be another common option for the treatment of urinary conditions."

According to the Mayo Clinic, interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic bladder condition that primarily affects women. It causes pressure and pain in the bladder as well as, occasionally, varying degrees of pelvic pain. It may result in scarring of the bladder and reduce its elasticity. Many individuals with the condition also have a defect in their bladder's protective epithelium, though the cause is unknown.

Since prostatitis is an enlargement of the prostate gland, it exclusively affects men. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include pelvic pain, pain during urination, and urine urgency and frequency, which are frequently brought on by advanced age.

Anywhere in the urinary tract can contain calcium oxalate crystals, which are known as kidney stones. According to the Cleveland Clinic, kidney stones develop when chemicals in the urine concentrate to the point where they solidify into a mass. They may result in blood in the urine and pain in the sides and back. Renal failure, another name for kidney failure and chronic kidney disease, is a condition that can cause the kidneys to become unable to filter waste from the blood. It can occur suddenly and often be acute, or it can develop gradually over time. The Mayo Clinic states that chronic kidney disease can also be brought on by other illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure. Treatment may help acute cases, which can be brought on by trauma or other damage, get better over time. On the other hand, chronic kidney failure brought on by renal disease may necessitate dialysis or even a kidney transplant.

Approximately 75,000 Americans receive a bladder cancer diagnosis each year; men and older people are more likely to get the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, there will be approximately 17,240 bladder cancer deaths (roughly 12,520 in men and 4,720 in women) and 81,190 new cases of bladder cancer (about 62,380 in men and 18,810 in women) in 2018. The symptoms resemble other illnesses or disorders of the urinary system. These include back or pelvic pain, difficulty urinating, and frequent or urgent urination.