What happens to the urine that is formed in kidney?
After urine is formed in the kidneys, it travels down the ureters, which are thin tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Once in the bladder, the urine is stored until it is released through urination.
Here are some additional details about the process:
1. Filtration: In the kidneys, blood enters structures called nephrons, which are the functional units of the kidneys. Within the nephrons, there are tiny filters called glomeruli. These glomeruli filter fluid and waste products from the blood, creating a filtrate that contains water, electrolytes, urea, and other waste products.
2. Reabsorption: As the filtrate moves through the nephrons, essential substances such as water, glucose, and electrolytes are reabsorbed back into the blood through a process called reabsorption. This is important for maintaining the body's fluid and electrolyte balance.
3. Secretion: Certain substances, such as excess ions and waste products, are actively transported from the blood into the tubules of the nephrons through a process called secretion. This helps to remove these substances from the body.
4. Concentration: As the filtrate progresses through the nephrons, it enters a region called the collecting duct. Here, water can be reabsorbed depending on the body's water requirements. This process helps to concentrate the urine, resulting in the formation of urine.
5. Storage: The urine that is formed in the kidneys travels down the ureters and accumulates in the bladder. The bladder serves as a reservoir, gradually filling up with urine until it reaches a certain capacity.
6. Urination: When the bladder reaches its capacity, the urge to urinate arises. The bladder muscles contract and the urine is released through the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.
Urination is a vital process that helps regulate fluid balance and electrolyte levels in the body by eliminating excess water, waste products, and toxins from the blood.