URINARY SYSTEM

1. What does the urinary system consist of? Name the organs.




2. Complete the text with the words from the box.

travels      carried      removes      back     containing      stores     excrete         forms
           tighten            consists        emptied            swells


The urinary system works with the lungs, skin, and intestines — all of which also __________^1
wastes — to keep the chemicals and water in your body balanced.

The urinary system __________^2 a type of waste called urea from your blood. Urea is produced when
foods __________^3 protein, such as meat, poultry, and certain vegetables, are broken down in the
body. Urea is __________^4 in the bloodstream to the kidneys.

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs about the size of your fists. They remove urea from the blood
through tiny filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron __________^5 of a ball formed of small
blood capillaries, called a glomerulus, and a small tube called a renal tubule. Urea, together with
water and other waste substances, __________^6 the urine as it passes through the nephrons and down
the renal tubules of the kidney.

From the kidneys, urine __________^7 down two thin tubes called ureters to the bladder. Muscles in
the ureter walls constantly __________^8 and relax to force urine downward away from the kidneys.
If urine is allowed to stand still, or __________^9 up, a kidney infection can develop. Small
amounts of urine are __________^10 into the bladder from the ureters about every 10 to 15 seconds.

The bladder is a hollow muscular organ shaped like a balloon. The bladder __________^11 urine until
you are ready to go to the bathroom to empty it. It __________^12 into a round shape when it is
full and gets smaller when empty.

3. Match the diseases of the urinary system with their description.

1. Kidney stones

a. This term refers to the bladder-emptying problems - abnormal holding of urine in the bladder.
Causes can include an obstruction in the urinary system, stress, or neurologic problems.

2. Pyelonephritis

b. It is the presence of abnormal amounts of protein in the urine. Healthy kidneys take wastes out
of the blood but leave in protein. Protein in the urine does not cause a problem by itself. But it
may be a sign that your kidneys are not working properly.

3. Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

c. It refers to painful urination. This is typically described to be a burning or stinging
sensation. It is most often a result of an infection of the urinary tract. It may also be due to an
STD, bladder stones, bladder tumors, and virtually any condition of the prostate.

4. Renal (kidney) failure

d. This is an infection in one or both of the kidneys. It can cause serious damage to the kidneys
if it is not adequately treated.

5. Urinary retention

e. This is an infection in the urinary bladder.

6. Prostatitis

f. This is a loss of bladder control - the involuntary passage of urine. There are many causes and
types, and many treatment options. Treatments range from simple exercises to surgery. Women are
affected more often than men.

7. Proteinuria

g. The term is commonly used to refer to calculi in the urinary system. They form in the kidneys
and may be found anywhere in the urinary system. They vary in size. The aim of treatment is to
remove them, prevent infection and recurrence.

8. Cystitis

h. These are caused by bacteria in the urinary tract. Women get this disease more often than men.
It is treated with antibiotics. Drinking lots of fluids also helps by flushing out the bacteria.

9. Urinary incontinence

i. It is the inflammation of the prostate gland that results in urinary frequency and urgency, a
condition called dysuria, and pain in the lower back and genital area, among other symptoms.

10. Dysuria

j. This results when the kidneys are not able to regulate water and chemicals in the body or remove
waste products from your blood.