Urinary system / Excretory system
The entire system of organs (kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra) whose job is to remove liquid waste from the body.
Cortex
The outer layer of the kidney, where the main filtering begins.
Bowman's capsule
A cup-shaped sack that surrounds the glomerulus and collects the filtered fluid.
Urinary meatus
The outside opening where urine leaves the body.
Homeostasis
The body's ability to keep everything stable and balanced . The kidneys are essential for maintaining this balance.
Medulla
The inner layer of the kidney, which handles the final steps of making concentrated urine.
Renal pelvis
The funnel-shaped area inside the kidney that collects all the urine made by the nephrons.
urine
The liquid waste product that the kidneys produce from filtering your blood.
Hilum
The indent or "doorway" on the side of the kidney where blood vessels and the ureter connect.
Ureters
The tubes that carry urine from the kidneys down to the bladder.
Void
the verb for peeing; the act of emptying the bladder.
Nephrons
The tiny, functional filtering units within the kidney (millions in each kidney).
Bladder
The muscular balloon that stores urine until it is time to go to the bathroom.
Kidneys
The main organs that look like beans. They filter blood to remove waste and excess water, creating urine.
Glomerulus
A tangle of tiny blood vessels inside the nephron where blood is first filtered.
Urethra
The tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.