ANSWERS

1. State the function of the urinary system.
   This is the visceral system responsible for the removal of waste products and surplus water from the body.
2. The urinary system is often classified together with the reproductive system. What is the collective name that describes the 2 systems?
   The urogenital system.
3. What is another term used to describe urination?
   Micturition.
4. What is the difference between tenesmus and dysuria?
   Tenesmus may be used to describe difficulty in either urination or defecation, whilst dysuria only describes difficulty in urination.
5. Define the following: polyuria, anuria & haematuria.
   • Polyuria - increased frequency of urination.
   • Anuria - cessation of the secretion of urine.
   • Haematuria - blood in the urine.
6. List the structures of the urinary system.
   • Kidneys (2).
   • Ureters (2).
   • Bladder.
   • Urethra.
7. List the 5 functions of the kidney.
   • Urine formation.
   • Renin production.
   • Conversion of vitamin D to an active form.
   • Production of erythropoietin.
   • Contributes to the maintenance of the correct pH of the body.
8. What is the term used to describe matters pertaining to the kidneys?
   Renal.
9. Briefly describe the following parts of the kidney.
   • Capsule - the covering of fibrous tissue that attaches the kidney to the dorsal wall of the abdomen.
   • Hilus - the indented part of the kidney where blood vessels and nerves enter or leave, and also where the ureter is attached.
   • Cortex - the dark coloured peripheral area of the kidney.
   • Medulla - the inner body of the kidney.
   • Renal pelvis - the hollow collecting area located in the centre of the kidney.
10. List 5 components of a nephron.
    • Bowman's capsule.
    • Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT).
    • Loop of Henle.
    • Distal convoluted tubule (DCT).
    • Collecting duct.
      NB. There are 1000's of nephrons within each kidney responsible for the filtration of blood and the production of urine.
11. What is contained within the Bowman's capsule?
    The glomerulus (a 'knot' of capillaries which filter waste products from the blood).
12. What is meant by glomerular filtrate?
    This is a fluid similar to plasma (with smaller protein molecules) that is found within the glomerulus. A large dog may produce as much as 100L of glomerular filtrate in a day, but only 1-2L ends up as urine.
13. What is the filtration pressure?
    The difference in pressure between the blood in the glomerulus and the pressure of the fluid in the Bowman's capsule.
14. What is the name of the hormone that controls the reabsorption of water?
    Antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
15. What is the name of the hormone that controls the reabsorption of sodium?
    Aldosterone.
16. What is the name given to the indentations of the renal pelvis that lie between the pyramids of the medulla?
    Calyces.
17. What is a nephrosis?
    Any disease of the kidney.
18. State 1 enzyme and 1 hormone secreted by the kidneys.
    • Enzyme: renin.
    • Hormone: erythropoietin.
19. State the function of the ureters.
    Transport of urine (via peristaltic movements of the smooth muscle within their walls) from the renal pelvis to the bladder.
20. What type of cells line the bladder wall and why?
    Transitional epithelial cells; they are elastic and allow the bladder to stretch when full.
21. What is the name given to the area between the ureteral openings and the neck of the bladder?
    The trigone.
22. Name the glands located within the urethra that are present in the tom cat but not in the dog.
    The bulbourethral glands.
23. Name the special type of urinary catheter designed for indwelling use in tom cats.
    Jackson cat catheter (available in 2 sizes 3FG & 4FG). This catheter has a plastic phlange to enable it to be sutured into place and a metal stylet to aid insertion).
24. Name the special type of urinary catheter designed to be indwelling by the aid of an integral balloon at the distal tip.
    Foley catheter.
25. What is the name of a ring-shaped muscle which closes a natural orifice on contraction (and may be found within the urethra)?
    A sphincter.
26. State the normal pH range of urine.
    Between 5 and 7.
27. State the normal specific gravity range of urine in the cat and the dog.
    • Cats: 1.020-1.040.
    • Dogs: 1.016-1.060.
28. How much urine is produced per kilogram of body weight per day in the cat and the dog?
    • Cats: 10-15mls/kg/day.
    • Dogs: 20-80mls/kg/day.