Where are the ureters located?
retroperitoneal medial side of kidney, extend from hilus into pelvic cavity, enter posterior inferior region of urinary bladder
The outer layer of the ureters is made of?
fibroelastic connective tissue
Describe the middle layer of the ureters
three separate layers of smooth muscle
Describe the inner layer of the ureters
mucous membrane containing transitional epithelium
What is the function of the ureters?
move urine from kidneys to urinary bladder
What moves urine through the ureters?
smooth muscle peristaltic contractions
Where is the urinary bladder located?
retroperitoneal in pelvic cavity behind the pubic symphysis
The top, outer layer of the urinary bladder is made of?
parietal peritoneum
The sides and bottom of the outer layer of the urinary bladder is made of?
fibroelastic tissue
Describe the middle layer of the urinary bladder
three layers of smooth muscle (detrusor muscle)
What allows the urinary bladder to stretch without tearing?
inner layer of mucous membrane with transitional epithelium
Where is the trigone?
inner layer of urinary bladder
What forms the trigone?
boundaries of two ureteral openings and the urethral opening
What is the trigone?
stabilized area to maintain normal orientation of ureteral openings
Describe the inner or internal sphincters associated with urinary bladder and urethra
smooth muscle around urethra at the base of the urinary bladder, involuntary
Describe the outer or external sphincters associated with urinary bladder and urethra
skeletal muscle around urethra distal to inner sphincter, voluntary
Where is the external urinary sphincter in females?
adjacent to urethral orifice
Where is the external urinary sphincter in males?
inferior to prostate gland
What are the functions of the urinary bladder?
reservoir for urine and micturition
Approximately how much urine can the bladder hold?
300 ml
What is the first step in micturition?
stretch receptors in bladder send sensory impulses to spinal cord
What is the second step in micturition?
motor impulses come back to the bladder and stimulate contraction of the detrusor muscle with relaxation of the internal sphincter
What is the third step in micturition?
external sphincter relaxes and urine flows
Where is the urethra located in the female?
anterior to vagina
Where is the urethra located in the male?
passes through prostate gland and penis
Where does the urethra terminate?
urethral orifice
What is the function of the urethra in both sexes?
conducts urine from urinary bladder to outside
What is the function of the urethra in males?
conducts seminal fluid to outside
Kidney stones are also called?
staghorn calculus
Why are kidney stones difficult to pass?
attach to smooth muscle