ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF THE

URINARY SYSTEM

Dr. Beda Olabu: Urinary system lecture series

 LECTURE OBJECTIVES
1. State the components of the urinary system
2. Describe the structure of the kidneys
3. Outline the functions of the kidneys
4. Describe the structure and types of the nephron
5. Explain the mechanisms of urine formation
6. Outline the endocrine functions of the kidney
7. Name the components of urinary passages
8. Describe the physiology of micturation
Dr. Beda Olabu: Urinary system lecture series
COMPONENTS OF THE URINARY SYSTEM

A: Anatomical
1. Kidneys

2. Ureters

3. Urinary bladder

4. Urethra
COMPONENTS OF THE URINARY SYSTEM

A: Functional
1. Secretory units

2. Collecting units

• Kidneys have both

ANATOMY OF THE KIDNEY
• Located in the lumbar regions,
retroperitonially

• Has poles, surfaces, borders & hilum

• Supplied by the renal vessels

• Receive about 20-25% of the cardiac

output!

Dr. Beda Olabu: Urinary system lecture series

STRUCTURE OF THE KIDNEY

A sectioned kidney:

a) Renal capsule

b) Urinary passages

c) Renal parenchyma
STRUCTURE OF THE KIDNEY

Renal parenchyma:
a) Renal cortex

b) Renal medulla

• The medulla has renal

columns and pyramids
STRUCTURE OF THE KIDNEY

Renal parenchyma:
a) Renal cortex

b) Renal medulla

• The medulla has renal

columns and pyramids
 FUNCTIONS OF THE KIDNEY
1.Excretion of metabolic wastes and foreign
substances
2.Osmoregulation [water & minerals]
3.Blood pressure regulation
4.Regulation of plasma pH (acid-base balance)
5.Endocrine roles (various hormonal pathways)
Dr. Beda Olabu: Urinary system lecture series
STRUCTURE OF THE NEPHRON
1. Renal corpuscle

2. Proximal convoluted tubule

3. Loop of Henle

4. Distal convoluted tubule

5. Collecting tubule & collecting

ducts
 STRUCTURE OF THE NEPHRON
1. Renal corpuscle
2. Proximal convoluted tubule
3. Loop of Henle
1. Descending limb
2. Ascending limb
4. Distal convoluted tubule
5. Collecting tubule & ducts
STRUCTURE OF THE NEPHRON
Juxtaglomerular apparatus:
• Where DCT makes contact with
the afferent arteriole
Components of the JGAs:
1. Macula densa cells of DCT
2. Juxtaglomerular cells of the
afferent arteriole
• For blood pressure regulation
TYPES OF NEPHRONS
a) Cortical nephrons:
• Short loop of Henle
• The loop is largely in the cortex
b) Juxtamedullary nephrons:
• Long loops of Henle
• Loop is largely in the medulla
• For urine concentration
BASIC RENAL PROCESSES
• The mechanisms that underlie
formation of urine

Three basic processes:

1. Glomerular filtration
2. Tubular reabsorption
3. Tubular secretion
GLOMERULAR FILTRATION
• Pressure dependent seepage of
plasma into the Bowman’s space
Occurs through the:
1. Filtrations slits formed by podocytes
2. Fenestra of the glomerular endothelium
• The filtration barrier (basal lamina) is
continuously cleaned by mesangial cells
GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE
• Driven by the pressure gradient
between glomerular capillaries
and the Bowman’s space

• Auto-regulated between 90-

210mmHg of the MAP

• Normal GFR = 120 ml/min

TUBULAR REABSORPTION
• Uptake of useful substances back to
the bloodstream
• Occurs along the different parts of
the nephron, but largely in the PCT
• Water, glucose, proteins, sodium
e.t.c
• Role of aldosterone hormone
• Role of vasopressin hormone
TUBULAR SECRETION
• Further release of unwanted
substances from the bloodstream
into the renal tubules
• Occurs along the different parts of
the nephron, mainly in the loop and
DCT

• Includes Hydrogen, Potassium,

Weak acids, Weak bases and Drugs
ENDOCRINE FUNCTIONS OF THE KIDNEY

1. Erythropoietin

2. Vitamin D3

3. RAAS
RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN-ALDOSTERONE-SYSTEM
ANGIOTENSINOGEN From the liver, into the circulation

Renin enzyme
From the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney
↓ BP; ↓ Na level; ↑ Sympathetic activity

ANGIOTENSIN I
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme [ACE]
From endothelial cells of lung capillaries

ANGIOTENSIN II The active form of the hormone

 RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN-ALDOSTERONE-SYSTEM
EFFECTS OF ANGIOTENSIN II

BLOOD VESSELS PITUITARY GLAND ADRENAL CORTEX RENAL PCT

ADH secretion Aldosterone secretion

Vasoconstriction Increase renal sodium & water retention

↑ Peripheral Resistance ↑ Total blood volume

Raising the mean arterial blood pressure

RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN-ALDOSTERONE-SYSTEM
URINARY PASSAGES
• Collecting ducts
• Minor calyces
• Major calyces
• Renal pelvis
• Ureters
• Urinary bladder
• Urethra
URINARY PASSAGES
• Collecting ducts
• Minor calyces
• Major calyces
• Renal pelvis
• Ureters
• Urinary bladder
• Urethra
THE URINARY BLADDER
• A muscular sac that stores urine

• Located within the pelvis

• Extends to the suprapubic region

when full

• Contain openings for ureters &

urethra
THE URINARY BLADDER
• A muscular sac that stores urine

• Located within the pelvis

• Extends to the suprapubic region

when full

• Contain openings for ureters &

urethra
THE URINARY BLADDER
Bladder Innervation:
• Receive autonomic supply

• Sympathetic: Bladder wall

relaxation; sphincter contraction

• Parasympathetic: Bladder wall

contraction; sphincter relaxation
 MICTURITION
Discharge of urine from the bladder via the urethra
• The bladder fills progressively but
maintains a relatively constant
tension on its wall until the volume
reaches a threshold

• Typical threshold volume is about

300-400ml in adults

• This triggers the micturition reflex

 MICTURITION
Reflex contraction of the urinary bladder for voiding
• Levels of control of micturition

1. Cerebral cortex

2. Pontine micturition centre

3. Spinal cord: Sympathetic

4. Spinal cord: Parasympathetic

THE URETHRA
 MALE AND FEMALE URETHRA
PARAMETER MALE URETHRA FEMALE URETHRA

Length Longer Shorter

Diameter Narrower Wider

Orientation Angulated Straight

Site of opening Externally Internally

Functions Urinary & reproductive Urinary only

DEVELOPMENT OF THE
URINARY SYSTEM
DR. BEDA OLABU
 LECTURE OBJECTIVES
1. State the embryonic origin of the kidneys
2. Outline the different types of the prenatal kidney
systems
3. State how the definitive (permanents) kidney develops
4. State the embryonic origin of the ureter, urinary bladder
and the urethra
5. Highlight common congenital anomalies of the urinary
system
ORIGIN OF THE URINARY SYSTEM
• Organs of the urinary system arise
predominantly from the intermediate
mesoderm

• Common origin with the organs of

the reproductive systems

• Along the posterior abdominal wall

EMBRYONIC KIDNEY SYSTEMS
• Three sets of kidneys
develop in the human
embryos:
The kidney systems:
1. Pronephros
2. Mesonephros
3. Metanephros
EMBRYONIC KIDNEY SYSTEMS
1: THE PRONEPHROS
• Appear early in the 4th week
around the cervical region
• Join to the pronephric duct, which
then opens into cloaca
• Pronephros are rudimentary & non
functional
• Degenerate after the 5th week, but
the pronephric duct persists
EMBRYONIC KIDNEY SYSTEMS
2: THE MESONEPHROS
• Appear at the end of the 4th week, in
the thoracolumbar region
• Are functional (as interim kidneys)
• Join to the mesonephric duct (which is
the remnant of the pronephric duct)
• Degenerate after the 8/9th week
• The Wolfian duct persists in males
EMBRYONIC KIDNEY SYSTEMS
• Three sets of kidneys
develop in the human
embryos:
The kidney systems:
1. Pronephros
2. Mesonephros
3. Metanephros
DEFINITIVE (PERMANENT) KIDNEY
3: THE METANEPHROS
• Formed within the pelvic cavity
• Develop from two sources:
1. Ureteric bud: A diverticulum from
the mesonephric duct
2. Metanephric blastema: A compact
cellular mass from intermediate
mesoderm
DEFINITIVE (PERMANENT) KIDNEY
• Ureteric bud grows & penetrates
the metanephric blastema
• There is reciprocal interaction
between the two structures…..
• This interaction is vital for:
1. Ureteric bud branching
2. Differentiation of the nephrons
within the blastema
DEFINITIVE (PERMANENT) KIDNEY
THE URETERIC BUD:
• Grows & branches progressively
within the metanephric blastema
• Gives rise to the urine collecting
units
• Forms the ureter, renal pelvis, major
calices, minor calices & collecting
ducts
DEFINITIVE (PERMANENT) KIDNEY
METANEPHRIC BLASTEMA
• Compact mass of mesenchymal
cells (intermediate mesoderm)
• Formed in the pelvic region
• Differentiates into the secretory
units of the kidney (the nephrons)
• The nephrons establishes continuity
with the derivatives of ureteric bud
POSITIONAL CHANGES OF THE KIDNEY
• With fetal growth, the kidneys ascend and come to lie
in the upper retroperitoneum, reaching their adult
location and position by the 9th week

• The kidneys also rotate 90 degrees medially; hence the

renal pelvis is directed anteromedially
POSITIONAL CHANGES OF THE KIDNEY
• During a ascend, they derive their blood supply from nearby
vessels; adult blood supply is from the abdominal aorta
DEVELOPMENT OF THE URINARY BLADDER
• Develops from the urogenital sinus
• The cloaca is partitioned into two by
the urorectal septum
• Review the partitioning of the cloaca
• Bladder is continuous with allantois
initially
• The allantois becomes the urachus
(a fibrous cord); median umbilical
ligament in the adult
DEVELOPMENT OF THE URINARY BLADDER
DEVELOPMENT OF THE URINARY BLADDER
RESULTS OF BLADDER
ENLARGENT:
1. Incorporation of the distal
portion of the mesonephric
duct into the trigone
2. Separation of the ureteric
openings
DEVELOPMENT OF THE URETHRA
• Endoderm of the urogenital
sinus forms the epithelial lining
of the urethra

• Splanchnic mesenchyme forms

the connective tissue and smooth
muscles of the urethra
CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE
URINARY SYSTEM
PELVIC KIDNEY HORSE-SHOE KIDNEY
CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE
URINARY SYSTEM
RENAL AGENESIS POLYCYSTIC KIDNEYS
CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE
URINARY SYSTEM
RENAL DUPLEX POSTERIOR URETHRAL VALVES
CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE
URINARY SYSTEM
BLADDER EXTROPHY BLADDER EXTROPHY
 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE
URINARY SYSTEM

1: ANOMALIES RELATED TO RENAL GROWTH

1. Renal hypoplasia

2. Fetal lobation

3. Compensatory Hypertrophy
 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE
URINARY SYSTEM

2: ANOMALIES RELATED TO RENAL ASCENT

1. Ectopic kidney – pelvic or thoracic

2. Crossed renal ectopia

3. Horseshoe Kidney
 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE
URINARY SYSTEM
3: ANOMALIES RELATED TO URETERAL BUD
1. Renal agenesis
2. Supernumerary kidneys
3. Duplex Collecting System and Ureterocele
4. Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction
5. Congenital megacalices or megaureters
 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE
URINARY SYSTEM
4: ANOMALIES RELATED TO VASCULAR DEVELOPMENT

1. Aberrant Vessels

2. Retrocaval Ureter
 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE
URINARY SYSTEM
5: ANOMALIES RELATED TO BLADDER DEVELOPMENT
1. Bladder Agenesis

2. Bladder Duplication

3. Bladder Exstrophy

4. Urachal Anomalies
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION