Describe the anatomical pathway that urine takes through the urinary system from the kidney till it is voided from the body. (10 marks)
Urine is produced in the kidneys through the processes of filtration, reabsorption and secretion. The inner part of the kidneys; the medulla, has fan-shaped tubes called pyramids. Pyramids drain urine into cup-shaped tubes; calyxes. From the calyxes, urine travels out of the kidneys through the ureters. It is then temporarily stored in the urinary bladder. When the urinary bladder is full, two bladder muscles squeeze and two sphincters open to allow urine to flows out during urination.
To describe the anatomical pathway that urine takes through the urinary system, here is a step-by-step explanation:
1. Kidneys: Urine originates in the kidneys. Each kidney is located in the abdominal cavity, on either side of the spine, and their main function is to filter waste products, excess water, and toxins from the bloodstream to produce urine.
2. Ureters: From each kidney, urine flows into a tube called the ureter. There is one ureter connected to each kidney. The ureters are muscular tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. The urine travels down the ureters through peristaltic contractions.
3. Urinary Bladder: The ureters enter the urinary bladder, which is a muscular, hollow organ located in the pelvic region. The bladder acts as a reservoir for holding urine until it is ready to be voided from the body. The bladder can expand to accommodate increasing amounts of urine.
4. Urethra: The urine exits the body through the urethra. In males, the urethra runs through the prostate gland and then through the . In females, the urethra is shorter and opens just above the l opening. The urethra has a sphincter at its base that helps control the release of urine.
When voiding, the muscle in the bladder wall contracts, and the urethral sphincter relaxes, allowing urine to flow out through the urethra. The process of urination, also known as micturition, is a voluntary action controlled by the brain.
To understand this pathway better, it is helpful to visualize anatomical diagrams of the urinary system. You can find detailed diagrams in biology textbooks, anatomy atlases, or through online resources such as educational websites and medical databases.