Anatomy and Functions of Urinary System

The main function of the urinary system is to excrete urea. It is nitrogen-containing waste-product of protein metabolism. Urea is formed in the liver. It is carried in the bloodstream to the kidneys.

The urinary system includes the kidneys, the right and the left; the ureters (renal ducts); the urinary bladder which is a hollow muscular sac for temporary collection of urine and the urethra which is a tube through which urine is discharged from the urinary bladder and passed out of the body.

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs embedded in a cushion of adipose tissue and located behind the abdominal cavity. They consist of an outer cortex part and an inner medullar part. The kidneys perform the filtration of waste products from the blood. The process of filtration and formation of urine takes place within the tiny tubules of the kidney. Besides, renal functions include participation in the control of: volume of blood and other fluids of the body; protein, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism; arterial pressure; coagulation of blood and some more functions.

Depending on the water balance in the organism, the kidneys produce diluted and concentrated urine. The volume of urine discharged, by a healthy individual may vary widely and depends on the condition of water balance. The colour of the urine depends on the dieresis and the excretion of pigments; it changes from light yellow to orange.

3. Vocabulary exercises

3.1 Suggest the Ukrainian for:

the main function of the urinary system; to excrete urea; nitrogen-containing waste-product of protein metabolism; is formed in the liver; is carried in the bloodstream to the kidneys; a hollow muscular sac for temporary collection of urine; a tube through which urine is discharge from the urinary bladder and passed out of the body; bean-shaped organs embedded in a cushion of adipose tissue; an outer cortex part and an inner medullar part; the filtration of waste products from the blood; the tiny tubules; : volume of blood and other fluids of the body; protein, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism; arterial pressure; coagulation of blood; depending on the water balance; the excretion of pigments.

3.2 Give the English equivalents for:

сечівник; бобоподібний; жирова тканина; внутрішній мозковий шар нирки; видаляти сечовину; позаду черевної порожнини; виконують фільтрацію; крихітні канали; залежно від водного балансу; колір сечі; утворюється в печінці.

3.3 Fill in:

1. The main function of the urinary system is to excrete ... . 2. Urea is formed in the ... from ammonia. 3. The ... is carried in the bloodstream to the kidneys. 4. The kidneys are bean-shaped organs embedded in a ... of adipose tissue. 5. The kidneys perform … of waste products from the blood. 6. Depending on the … in the organism, the kidneys produce diluted and concentrated urine. 7. The volume of urine discharged by a healthy individual may … and depends on the condition of water balance. 8. The colour of the urine depends on the ... .

3.4 Answer the questions:

l. What is the main function of the urinary system? 2. Where is urea formed? 3. What does the urinary system include? 4. What are the kidneys like? 5. Where are the kidneys located? 6. What do the kidneys perform? 6. What does the renal function include? 7. What urea do the kidneys produce? 8. What does the volume of urine depend on?

3.5 Say if it is true or false:

1. The main function of the urinary system is to excrete urea.

2. Urea is formed in the kidneys.

3. The urinary bladder is a hollow muscular sac for temporary collection of urine.

4. The kidneys are bean-shaped organs embedded in a cushion of connective tissue.

5. The kidneys are located in front of the abdominal cavity.

6. The process of filtration and formation of urine takes place within the tiny tubules of the kidney.

7. Depending on the salt balance in the organism, the kidneys produce diluted and concentrated urine.

Grammar