EXCRETORY SYSTEM

Characteristics:

The excretory system is the set of organs that performs the function of excretion (the body process of getting rid of waste). It is formed by the urinary system and the sweat glands.

Parts:

The urinary system is the set of organs that produce and excrete urine, the main waste fluid of the body. The human urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra.

• The kidneys remove waste and water from the blood to form urine. Urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder through the ureters.
• The ureter is a tube that carries urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder. There are two ureters, one attached to each kidney.
• The bladder is an expandable organ that contracts itself when it is empty.
• The urethra is the part that connects the bladder with the external part of the body.

The sweat glands are responsible for excreting sweat. The sweat contains water, mineral salts and a little urea. Its main function is to regulate the body temperature by evaporating the expelled water.

Functions:

The excretory system is in charge of the process of elimination of toxic substances and waste that the body doesn’t need. It acts as a regulating device for internal conditions, determines the amount of water and salts that are in the body, to eliminate excess and maintains chemical balance.

Connection with other systems:

The respiratory system collaborates in the excretion, because through the exchange of gases it eliminates the carbon dioxide.

The digestive system absorbed water, salts and nutrients, which go to the blood that is then filtered by the excretory system and eliminates everything that the body does not need.