Excretory System

Excretory system is the system of

an organism's body that performs
the function of excretion, the
bodily process of discharging
wastes. The Excretory system is
responsible for the elimination of
wastes produced by homeostasis.
Related Organs are
• 2 Kidneys
• 2 Ureters
• One Urinary Bladder
• One Urethra
• Kidney (Position) bean shaped organ lies
behind the peritoneum on either side of the
vertebral column extending from thoracic 12
to lumber 3. Left kidney is narrow , longer,
than right Kidney.
• Size & Wt : 115 to 170 gms & 12 -13 cm (L) X
5-6 cms (w) X 2.5 to 3 cms (thick).
• Function Unit : Nephron, (1 million functional
units), tubular in shape and its independent
end is called Bowman’s capsule present in
Kidneys cortex
• (Remember a cut lemon or orange) to
compare the image of Kidney

Blood Circulation in Kidneys : Blood
circulation is not to supply blood to
kidneys for nutrition but to leave
out extra & waste substances for
excretion. An adult person’s kidney
receives 1200 ml of blood/minute.
Function of Kidney : Regulate
Water balance
Concentration of salts in the blood &
Residues of acid base reactions (keeping
ionic level)
Excretion of waste products & excess of
salts
Formation of urine
Maintaining pH level of acid of blood
Synthesis of enzymes renin, hormone
erythropytin dihydroxy kalicalcephorol.
Formation of Urine includes four process
1. Glomerular filtration : Every Minute about 1 liter of blood containing 500 ml
of plasma flows through 7 this filter & about 10 % is filtered off. The cells &
protein are too big to pass through and stay behind in blood stream.
2. Tubular re-adsorption
3. Tubular secretion or excretion
Filtered fluid then passes along the renal tubules & the cells absorb those
substances which the body wants & leave behind those which are unwanted.
Normally glucose is all re-absorbed, water is largely re-absorbed & most of the
waste products are excreted. By varying the amount is to absorb or leave behind
the tubular can adjust the composition of the urine one side and blood on the
other side.
4. Tubular synthesis
• Micturition : An Act of Passing Urine
• Urinary Bladder : structure, location and function (if you can read
yourself it will be good)