Urinary System

Back
Read/Download our Books for Free:
Sound Healing Videos

Structure, Function, Pathology & Natural Support:

1. Kidneys

  • Structure: The kidneys are retroperitoneal, bean-shaped organs located between T12-L3, each weighing ~150g and measuring 11x6x3 cm. They consist of an outer renal cortex (granular tissue) and inner renal medulla (striped pyramids), with a renal pelvis funneling urine into the ureters [B-6], [B-8]. Each kidney contains ~1 million nephrons, the functional units composed of glomeruli (filtration sites) and renal tubules (reabsorption/secretion pathways) [B-4], [S-1].

  • Function:

    • Filtration: Glomeruli filter blood at a rate of 125 mL/min (GFR), removing wastes like urea, creatinine, and excess ions while retaining glucose/amino acids [B-1], [B-9].

    • Homeostasis: Regulate blood pH via bicarbonate reabsorption and hydrogen ion secretion; control blood pressure via renin release [B-4], [S-4].

    • Hormone Production: Erythropoietin (stimulates RBC production) and calciferol (active vitamin D) [B-4], [A-2].

  • Pathology:

    • Pyelonephritis: Kidney infection often stemming from untreated UTIs, causing fever, flank pain, and potential renal scarring [A-1], [B-6].

    • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Progressive loss of nephrons due to diabetes/hypertension, leading to fluid retention and toxin buildup [A-6], [S-8].

  • Natural Support:

    • Bearberry (Uva Ursi): Contains arbutin, which hydrolyzes to antibacterial hydroquinone in alkaline urine [A-2].

    • Dandelion Root: Diuretic that enhances kidney filtration without depleting potassium [A-2], [A-6].

    • Hydration: ≥2L/day of fluoride-free water to prevent stone formation and flush toxins [A-4], [B-1].

2. Ureters

  • Structure: Muscular tubes (25–30 cm long) lined with transitional epithelium, transporting urine via peristalsis from renal pelvis to bladder [B-6], [B-9].

  • Function: One-way flow ensured by ureterovesical valves, preventing backflow when bladder contracts [B-8], [S-2].

  • Pathology:

    • Urinomas: Fluid collections from ureteral obstruction (e.g., stones), detectable via Doppler ultrasound showing interrupted "jet flow" [S-2], [A-5].

    • Ureterolithiasis: Stones causing colicky pain; risk factors include dehydration and high-oxalate diets [A-5], [B-9].

  • Natural Support:

    • Stonebreaker (Chanca Piedra): Disrupts calcium oxalate crystals via flavonoids like rutin [A-2], [A-5].

    • Lemon Water: Citrate binds calcium, inhibiting stone aggregation [A-5], [B-1].

3. Bladder

  • Structure: Hollow muscular sac (capacity: 400–600 mL) with detrusor muscle for contraction and trigone region anchoring ureters/urethra [B-6], [B-9].

  • Function: Stores urine until micturition reflex (controlled by pontine centers) triggers voluntary sphincter relaxation [B-6], [S-1].

  • Pathology:

    • Detrusor Overactivity (DO): Involuntary contractions causing urgency; no direct link to GFR decline per urodynamic studies [S-1], [A-1].

    • Cystitis: Bladder inflammation from E. coli, presenting with dysuria and hematuria [A-1], [A-9].

  • Natural Support:

    • Cranberry Capsules: A-type proanthocyanidins block bacterial adhesion (50% UTI reduction vs. juice’s inefficacy) [A-9], [A-12].

    • Marshmallow Root: Soothes irritated mucosa via mucilage content [A-15], [B-3].

4. Urethra

  • Structure: Males: ~20 cm (transports urine/semen); Females: ~4 cm (urine only) [B-6], [B-10].

  • Function: Exit conduit for urine; internal sphincter (involuntary) and external sphincter (voluntary) control flow [B-8], [S-1].

  • Pathology:

    • Urethritis: STIs (e.g., chlamydia) or chemical irritation from spermicides [A-1], [A-11].

    • Strictures: Scarring from catheterization, causing obstructive symptoms [B-6], [A-7].

  • Natural Support:

    • Corn Silk Tea: Anti-inflammatory and diuretic; reduces urethral edema [A-10], [B-3].

    • Probiotics (Lactobacillus): Restore urogenital flora to outcompete pathogens [A-1], [A-11].

Key Threats & Integrative Solutions

  1. Industrialized Medicine Risks:

    • Antibiotic Overuse: Disrupts microbiome, increasing recurrent UTI risk; natural alternatives like D-mannose (cranberry derivative) are equally effective without resistance [A-9], [A-11].

    • PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors): Chronic use reduces magnesium, accelerating kidney stone formation [A-5], [B-4].

  2. Dietary Interventions:

    • Vegetarian Diets: 16% lower UTI risk by reducing E. coli exposure from meat [A-8].

    • Low-Oxalate Foods: Combine calcium-rich foods (kale, almonds) with high-oxalate items (spinach, beets) to prevent stone formation [A-5], [B-1].

  3. Detox Protocols:

    • Coffee Enemas: Stimulate glutathione-S-transferase (liver detox enzyme) by 600% [A-6], [A-15].

    • Bentonite Clay: Binds heavy metals in the GI tract, reducing renal load [A-6], [A-15].

Actionable Steps for Urinary Health

  1. Hydration: 3L/day (herbal teas count) to maintain urine output >1.5L, diluting toxins [A-4], [B-1].

  2. Hygiene: Wipe front-to-back; urinate post-intercourse to flush bacteria [A-1], [A-11].

  3. Monitoring: Annual urinalysis to check pH (ideal: 6.0–6.5), specific gravity, and sediment [A-3], [B-9].

Summary: Comprehensive Guide to the Urinary System: Structure, Function, Pathology, and Natural Support

Keywords used for research: urinary system, kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, anatomy, chart, diagram, bullet points, organized, structure, function, components, renal system

The following Natural News articles may be useful for further research:

References

REFERENCES:

(Note: Most documents in this collection were archived via OCR. Expect some titles to be incomplete, and author names may show OCR errors from time to time. This is an unavoidable artifact of using archived knowledge.)

Science Papers:

  • [S-1] "Is There a Relationship Between Glomerular Filtration Rate and Detrusor Overactivity in Women?" by Megan O. Schimpf David M. O’Sullivan Adam C. Steinberg Christine A. LaSala Paul K. Tulikangas (Neurourology and Urodynamics 28:202–204, 2009)

  • [S-2] "Late-onset Ureteric Urinoma with Intermittent Jet Flow as a Complication of Ureterolithotomy" by Birsen Unal, MD, Halil Basar, MD, Miyace Y. Karadeniz Bilgili, MD, Murat Basar, MD, Ertan Batislam, MD, Haydar Hu¨seyin Erdal, MD, Simay Kara, MD (J Clin Ultrasound 32:264–266, 2004)

  • [S-3] "Obstructed Duplex Kidney in an Adult: Ultrasonic Evaluation" by Gilles LaVallee, Michel Lafortune, Lawrence Gilchrist, Michel BOVO, Alexis Pagacz, Claude Vallee, Guy Breton (Journal of Ultrasound Medicine 1985;4(3):267-270)

  • [S-4] "RELATION BETWEEN STEREOCHEMICAL CONFIGURATION AND BIODISTRIBUTION OF THE ISOMERS TVerbruggen, G. Bormans, B. Cleynhens, A! Vandecruys, M. Hoogmartens, and M. OF MT~-MERCAPTOACETYLGLYCYLALANYLGLYCINE (MTC-MAGAG) IN A BABOON" by TVerbruggen G., Bormans G., Cleynhens B., Vandecruys A!, Hoogmartens M. (Nuclear Medicine and Radiopharmacy)

  • [S-5] "Uric Acid Decomposition in the Lower Gastrointestinal Tract" by ELDON J. BRAUN AND COLIN E. CAMPBELL[] (The Journal of Experimental Zoology Supplement 3:70-74 (1989))

  • [S-6] "Prolapsed Simple Ureterocele: Evaluation by Transvaginal Voiding Sono-Urethrography" by Kishor Taori, MD, Manisha Joshi, MBBS, Suresh Dhakate, DMRD, Amit Disawal, MD, Vibhavari Nathe, MBBS, Rachna Mone, MBBS (J Clin Ultrasound 39:544–547, 2011)

  • [S-7] "Effects of external magnetic field on biodistribution of nanoparticles: A histological study" by Tony Wu Mu-Yi Hu Jyh-ping Chen Kuo-Chen Wei Shih-Ming Jung Yeu-Jhy Chang Mei-Jie Jou Yunn-Hwa Ma (Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 311 (2007) 372-375)

  • [S-8] "Lesions Outside the CNS in Parkinson’s Disease" by Ruth Djaldetti MD,, Nirit Lev MD,, Eldad Melamed MD (Journal of Neurology)

  • [S-9] "Neurotransmitters excreted in the urine as biomarkers of nervous system activity: Validity and clinical applicability" by David T. Marc ∗, Joseph W. Ailts, Danielle C. Ailts Campeau, Michael J. Bull, Kelly L. Olson∗ (Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 35 (2011))

Books:

  • [B-1] "Anatomy and physiology" by Alford Elward Kendall

  • [B-2] "Biology in action" by Poole Marion C

  • [B-3] "The Language of Medicine" by Chabner Davi-Ellen

  • [B-4] "Outline Of Human Anatomy-2017" (author unknown)

  • [B-5] "Anatomy physiology" by Marieb Elaine Nicpon 1936

  • [B-6] "Anatomy and physiology understanding the human body" by Clark Robert K 1958

  • [B-7] "A Barefoot Doctors Manual 1974" (author unknown)

Articles:

Back
Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy
Refund Policy
Contact Us
Disclaimer