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The human urinary system, also known as the urinary tract or renal system, consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and the urethra.The purpose of the urinary system is to eliminate waste from the body, regulate blood volume and blood pressure, control levels of electrolytes and metabolites, and regulate blood pH.
If UTI is suspected, particularly in complicated cases or when urinalysis results are inconclusive, [140] a urine culture may be performed to identify microorganisms if present, obtain a colony count, and carry out antibiotic sensitivity testing. The colony count helps to distinguish between contamination and infection. [141]
The major functions of these lining cells are the reabsorption of water and small molecules from the filtrate into the blood, and the secretion of wastes from the blood into the urine. Proper function of the kidney requires that it receives and adequately filters blood.
Greenish urine can result from the consumption of asparagus or foods, [citation needed] beverages with green pigments, or from a urinary tract infection. [8] Blue urine can be caused by the ingestion of methylene blue (e.g., in medications) or foods or beverages with blue dyes. Blue urine stains can be caused by blue diaper syndrome.
Mammals excrete urine through the urinary system. Excretion is elimination of metabolic waste, which is an essential process in all organisms. In vertebrates, this is primarily carried out by the lungs, kidneys, and skin. [1] This is in contrast with secretion, where the substance may have specific tasks after leaving the cell.
Urine tests such as urinalysis can evaluate for pH, protein, glucose, and the presence of blood. Microscopic analysis can also identify the presence of urinary casts and crystals. [ 44 ] The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) can be directly measured ("measured GFR", or mGFR) but this rarely done in everyday practice.
In addition, imaging of the kidneys (for structure and presence of two kidneys) is sometimes carried out, and/or a biopsy of the kidneys. The first test will be a urinalysis to test for high levels of proteins, [35] as a healthy subject excretes an insignificant amount of protein in their urine. The test will involve a 24-hour bedside urinary ...
Abnormal kidney function may cause too much or too little urine to be produced. The ability of the kidneys to filter protein is often measured, as urine albumin or urine protein levels, [2] measured either at a single instance or, because of variation throughout the day, as 24-hour urine tests. [citation needed]