Excretory system

Purpose

The excretory systems purpose is to remove wastes from the body

The wastes can be liquids, solids, or gases

Other systems are involved

Urinary System

The purpose of the urinary system is to remove wastes from the body in a liquid form called urine.

The four major parts to the urinary system are the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.

Kidneys

Two bean shaped organs found at approximately waist level.

The filtering unit of the kidney is known as the nephron.

Each nephron has a cup-like structure called the Bowman’s capsule and a duct.

The nephrons filter the blood for wastes

Pictures

The ureters

Two relatively thin tubes that attach the kidneys to the bladder.

Bladder

Muscular storage unit for holding urine until it is ready to be released.

Can Hold about a half a liter of fluid

Urethra

A single tube that flows from the bladder to the outside for the release of urine.

Can become infected and inflamed with bacteria .

Common beginning site for a urinary tract infection.

Diseases

Some diseases of the urinary system are benign and just require antibiotics for treatment.

You only require one kidney to work. If both kidneys fail then you need

dialysis which is the artificial filtering of the blood for waste.

Skin

The skin- responsible for sweating and the release of wastes

Skin

Largest organ Made up of three layers

Epidermis- outer most layerMade up of dead skin cellsActs an water repellant and first

protection for your body

Melanin- your skin pigment or color is produced here

Dermis and Fatty layer

Dermis- middle layerThicker than the epidermisBlood vessels, nerves, oil glands

and sweat glands are found here

Fatty layer- inner most layerInsulates the body

Skin functions

Major job is protection Protects from physical and

chemical injury Protects from bacteria

Sensory response Sense of touch

Skin functions cont.

Vitamin D productionHelps absorb Calcium

Regulates body temperature Rid the body of wastes In the process of sweating- the body is

removing Water Salts Other waste products like carbon

dioxide

Skin functions cont.

Your body can only withstand a limited range of temperatures

If body becomes too hot then you will sweat

The sweat will evaporate and cool the body

Regulates body temperature and wastes

In the process of sweating- the body is removing Water Salts Other waste products like carbon

dioxide

The digestive system

Solid waste exits the rectum after the water has been reabsorbed in the large intestine

Lungs

Lungs are part of the respiratory system and are responsible of the removal of carbon dioxide and some water.