Components of the Human Urinary System

Terminology:

Textbooks refer to this part of the body using various words and expressions that have the same or similar meaning.

The 'Urinary System' is also called the 'Renal System' because this group of inter-connected body parts process a liquid substance called urine via specialist organs called the kidneys. The word 'renal' means 'pertaining to the kidneys', so this group of tissues and organs is either named after the substance it processes (urine; 'Urinary System'), or the organ that does most of the work (kidneys, 'Renal System').

Some textbooks use the expression 'Genito-urinary System' because the organs of the urinary system are located in close proximity to those of the reproductive system, hence some textbooks and course lists include these subjects as part of the same section or unit of study.

Quick Summary:

The Urinary (or 'Renal') System consists of :

1. Pair of kidneys
2. Pair of ureters
3. Bladder
4. Urethra

Diagram of the Urinary System:

For a more detailed description of the urinary system, two more diagrams are useful:

• The structure of the kidney, and
• The structure of a kidney nephron.

It might be helpful to view those diagrams then read about the functions of the urinary system.