EXCRETORY SYSTEM

MAIN PURPOSE

MAIN PROCESS

HEALTH ISSUES

to remove wastes from the body

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Nephrosis – a noninflammatory disease of kidneys.

Nephrolith – a kidney stone.

Urethritis – inflammation of the urethra, the final pathway for urine in both sexes, and the common pathway for urine and semen in the male.

Nocturia – frequently getting up and urinating during the night

Filtration, Reabsorption, Secretion

STRUCTURE

FUNCTION

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Remove waste products and medicines from the body.

Balance the body's fluids.

Balance a variety of electrolytes.

Release hormones to control blood pressure.

Release a hormone to control red blood cell production.

Help with bone health by controlling calcium and phosphorus.

kidney

bladder.

ureter

urethra

Bladder. This triangle-shaped, hollow organ is located in the lower abdomen. It is held in place by ligaments that are attached to other organs and the pelvic bones. The bladder's walls relax and expand to store urine, and contract and flatten to empty urine through the urethra.

kidneys-remove wastes and extra fluid from your body. Your kidneys also remove acid that is produced by the cells of your body and maintain a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals—such as sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium—in your blood.

Ureter-The tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.

Urethra-A tube located at the bottom of the bladder that allows urine to exit the body during urination. All parts of the urinary tract—the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra—must work together to urinate normally.