Genitourinary System

The Urinary System

The Urinary System is comprised of the: Kidneys Ureters Urinary Bladder Urethra

In men it is called the Genitourinary System since the urethra is also used in male reproduction

Purpose of the Urinary System To remove toxic waste from

the body in the form of urine.

The Kidneys Most humans have two kidneys, located in

the abdomen posterior to the floating ribs. On top of the kidneys is the Adrenal Gland,

which produces the hormones Cortisol and Adrenaline.

The plasma of your blood, full of your toxic waste, is brought to the kidney via the Renal Artery.

The nephron cells in the kidney “suck” the waste out of the blood in the form of urine.

The urine then filters into the Renal Pelvis, the collecting channel of the kidney

The Renal Pelvis then merges to form the Ureter.

The kidney also produces erythropoietin (EPO) hormone. EPO regulates red blood cell formation

in the bone marrow.

Urinary Med TermsUrine-We produce 1.4 liters of urine a day-Since urine is taken from the plasma of the blood, urine is 96% water and 2% electrolytes and 2% urea, the toxic waste of the body-Urine is sterile

There should be no bacteria or blood in it.Urine TermsTo void- “to urinate.”Anuria- no urine productionPolyuria- excessive urination in a given day.Hematuria- to urinate blood, either gross or microscopicIncontinence- the inability to hold one’s urine or ejaculant

The Ureter

The ureter carries urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder 10-12 inches long Smooth muscle in it

allows it widen/narrow

The Urinary Bladder “Cyst”

Bladder is located anterior to vagina and rectum in lower pelvis and posterior to pubic bone.

The bladder’s main job is to hold urine until urination.

Made up of rugae muscle to allow it to expand.

Urinary Tract Infections (aka Cystitis) Caused by hostile bacteria entering the

urethra and traveling up to bladder Wiping forward, sweaty/dirty clothing,

sexual promiscuity all cause it. More common in women Symptoms: dysuria, stinky urine,

itchiness, sensation to void all the time. If not treated may travel up ureters to

infect kidney (nephritis); not good Void often to avoid UTIs.

The Urethra

The urethra runs from the bladder to the outside world.

1.5 inches in women; ?>7 inches in men

In men, underneath the bladder the urethra is wrapped around by the Prostate Gland

Urethra Sphincter (both sexes) Sphincter controlled by the

Pubococcygeal (PC or Pelvic Floor muscle). This sphincter prevents urine from

dripping out of bladder causing incontinence.

Kegel Exercises strengthen muscle

After that, the Urethra is then enclosed by the penis. At the end of the penis, urine exits

the urethra through the urethral opening

Urethra in Penis The Penis (Latin for “tail”) is used for both voiding and ejaculating semen.

Also called the Phallus On average it is 5.1-5.9 inches long with a

circumference is 5.4 inches round. The Urethra runs along the inferior (bottom)

aspect of penis. Penis is made of two erectile tissues called

the Corpi that when filled with blood causes the penis to go from flaccid to erect. Corpus Cavernosa (Lt and Rt)

Main erectile tissue of penis Corpus Spongiosum

Smaller, less stiff erectile tissue of penis; surrounds urethra and prevents compression of urethra during erection

Glans penis Head of penis; made of Corpus

Spongiosum Prepuce (foreskin) covers the Glans

Penis Removal of Prepuce is called a

Circumcision There is no bone in the human penis; it can’t

be broken. Penis stops growing 5 years after puberty.

Male Genitalia

Scrotum

Scrotum The pouch which holds the testes

and epididymis The two testes are separated by

each other by a septum (wall). Muscles in the scrotum allow it to

rise/drop depending on heat and fear. Scrotum is connected to body by a

bridge called the Spermatic Cord The testicular artery and vein and the

vas deferens pass through the bridge Testicular Torsion

Testes Testes (Testicles) are the gonads

(sex organ) of males. Testes size differs on genetics and

environmental toxin exposure Testes produce two things: 1. Once puberty begins, the testes

produce the hormone, testosterone Testosterone produces male sexual

characteristics (deeper voice, broader chest, body hair, etc).

Testosterone responsible for sex drive in both sexes.

Sperm 2. Testes also make sperm (“seed” in

Greek) Each sperm has a:

Head Midpiece Flagellum (Tail)

Flagellum’s whip-like movement allows it to move

The average ejaculant contains 300-500 million sperm.

Good sperm has good motility (the ability to move quickly) and morphology (proper shape).

Sperm lives about 5 days in a woman. Mature sperm swims into the Epididymis, a

small bag on the superior side of testes where it waits until ejaculation.

Vas Deferens Vas Deferens

Tube that carries the sperm from the epididymis in the scrotum to the urethra

Sperm normally “waits” in Vas until ejaculation

Vasectomy- cutting of Vas which prevents sperm from entering urethra

Semen Semen Glands (aka Seminal Glands) Three glands produce and eject semen during

ejaculation. Semen is the “puddle” in which sperm travels and

feed off of while in the women. Its baseness (alkalinity) balances harsh acidity of

vagina. It is made mostly of fructose sugar Hematospermia -blood in semen. 3 glands Seminal vesicle

Located at end of vas Produces 60% of semen

Prostate Gland Located at merger of vas and urethra Produces 30% of semen Becomes enlarged in men; blocks urethra

during voiding Cowper Gland

Remaining 10% of semen Located below sphincter in urethra

Terms To engage in sexual intercourse or coitus has different terms

Coitus- to engage in sexual intercourse To copulate (v)-general verb for coitus To ejaculate (v)- general term for a man who releases his

semen, either in a person or not Impotence (n)- inability for a man to get an erection Anejaculation- inability to ejaculation Necrophilia (n)- coitus with a dead body Pedophilia (n)- coitus with a child Zoophilia (n)- coitus with an animal- (aka) bestiality Coitus Interuptus- to remove the penis from the vagina

prior to ejaculation; “pulling out” Coitus Reservatus- man enters woman and remains in the

plateau phase; “pulls out” but never ejaculates.

Sexual Stimulus Arousal Stage

Arterial flow to the penis increases thus filling up the Corpi

Penis turns from flaccid to erect Plateau Stage

Coitus begins Sensation to the erect penis

becomes more intense Glans Penis becomes enlarged

and red as orgasm approaches

Sexual Stimulation Ejaculation

The brain sends a message to the muscles surrounding the scrotum and penis to release semen.

Semen glands eject semen at the same moment sperm is being released by testes.

Semen (with sperm) is released in a series of rhythmic pulses accompanied by orgasm.

Immediately upon ejaculation, the corpi empty their blood thus leading the penis to become flaccid again

Refractory Period- time it takes for penis to become erect again

Diagnostic Tools for Urinary System Urinalysis (UA)- urine is inspected for blood,

bacteria, sugar, and protein. Blood work- CT scans- check for kidney/prostate/testicle

enlargement, stones, or tumors Cystoscopy- Camera inserted up the urethra to

examine bladder for blockages, and tumors. For stones, 3 main methods of treatment

Lithotripsy- sound wave machine used to shatter larger stones so they can be voided out

Ureteroscopy- scope inserted into the ureters through the bladder to pull out stones

Nephrolithotomy- small incision made into back to access kidney. Stones removed directly

Most stones are small enough to void out naturally.

Vocabulary Ad Nauseum- doing an act to the point of disgust (nausea). Garrulous (adj)- to be excessively chatty; talk too much. Cuckold (n)- a derogatory term used on a husband after his

cheated on him. Petulant (adj)- {petulance-n-} – acting in a childish manner;

throwing a temper tantrum when not getting your way; Synonym= Insolent

Succor (n) (v)- aid/assistance or to offer aid/assistance in a time of need.

To pontificate (v)- {pontification} to express one’s opinion or position pompously as if it absolutely correct.

Indolent (adj)- {indolence}- to be habitually lazy; to resist work of any sort.

Finicky (adj)- difficult to please; picky; fussy. -----------------------------------------