06/01/2026
The kidneys filter waste from the blood to produce urine, the urinary bladder stores the urine, and the prostate (in males) is a gland that produces fluid for semen and surrounds part of the urethra.
Kidney
The kidneys are a pair of purplish-brown, bean-shaped organs located toward the middle of the back, just below the ribs. They are vital for survival and perform several essential functions:
Filtering Blood: They filter waste products, excess water, and toxins (such as urea) from the bloodstream.
Urine Production: The filtered waste is converted into urine, which then travels to the bladder via the ureters.
Homeostasis: They help maintain the body's balance of water, salts (electrolytes), and pH levels, as well as regulating blood pressure and stimulating red blood cell production.
Urinary Bladder
The urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular, balloon-shaped organ located in the pelvis.
Storage: Its primary function is to act as a reservoir for urine, expanding as it fills. A healthy adult bladder can comfortably hold up to 2 cups of urine for several hours.
Urination: When signaled by the brain, the bladder muscles contract to expel urine from the body through the urethra.
Prostate
The prostate is a small, firm, partly muscular gland that is part of the male reproductive system.
Location: It is located just below the bladder, with the urethra passing through it.
Function: It produces a fluid that makes up part of semen, the substance that carries s***m during ej*******on. This fluid is slightly alkaline, which helps protect and prolong the lifespan of s***m in the female reproductive tract.
Urinary Role: As it surrounds the urethra, an enlarged prostate can sometimes block the flow of urine and cause urinary problems, which is a common condition in older men.
What is the urinary system?
The urinary system (or urinary tract) works as your body’s filtration system. When your urinary system removes toxins and wastes from your body, it comes out as p*e (urine). To be able to p*e, your body must pass this waste through a series of organs, ducts and tubes. If there’s a problem at any step in this process, it can affect if you’re able to p*e normally.
The main organs in your urinary system are:
Two kidneys (blood-filtering organs).
Two ureters (ducts that connect your kidneys to your bladder)
A bladder (an organ that holds your p*e).
A urethra (a tube connected to your bladder that allows p*e to leave your body).
Function
What is the main function of the urinary system?
Your urinary system filters your blood to get rid of what your body doesn’t need. It eliminates extra water and salt, toxins and other waste products. Different parts of the urinary system perform tasks, including:
Filtering blood
Separating the toxins you don’t need from the nutrients you do need
Storing and carrying p*e out of your body.
Function
Overview
Comparison of urinary system in males and females
Your urinary system is your body’s filtering system and produces your p*e. The organs of the urinary system include kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.
What is the urinary system?
The urinary system (or urinary tract) works as your body’s filtration system. When your urinary system removes toxins and wastes from your body, it comes out as p*e (urine). To be able to p*e, your body must pass this waste through a series of organs, ducts and tubes. If there’s a problem at any step in this process, it can affect if you’re able to p*e normally.
The main organs in your urinary system are:
Two kidneys (blood-filtering organs).
Two ureters (ducts that connect your kidneys to your bladder)
A bladder (an organ that holds your p*e).
A urethra (a tube connected to your bladder that allows p*e to leave your body).
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Schedule an Appointment
Function
What is the main function of the urinary system?
Your urinary system filters your blood to get rid of what your body doesn’t need. It eliminates extra water and salt, toxins and other waste products. Different parts of the urinary system perform tasks, including:
Filtering blood
Separating the toxins you don’t need from the nutrients you do need
Storing and carrying p*e out of your body
How does the urinary system filter my blood?
Your kidneys are an essential part of filtering your blood. Here’s how the urinary system works:
Your blood enters each kidney through lots of little arteries.
Your kidneys filter your blood, separating toxins from nutrients.
Vitamins, minerals, nutrients and proteins return back to your bloodstream.
Waste products and p*e move from your kidneys through your ureters and to your bladder.
Your bladder stores your p*e until you use the toilet.
P*e leaves your body through your urethra.
What are common symptoms of urinary tract conditions?
Symptoms vary depending on what condition you have. Many conditions share similar symptoms, like:
Changes in how you p*e. This could include many different symptoms like having to p*e more or less often and pain when you p*e.
Changes in your p*e. This may include p*e that’s brown, cloudy or contains blood.
Pain in your abdominal region. Since most of your urinary organs are in your abdomen, people with urinary issues may have pain, tenderness or feel pressure in that region of their body.
Fever, muscle aches and general unwell feeling. These could all be symptoms that indicate infection. You may also experience nausea or vomiting.
What tests can check for urinary system conditions?
The tests your healthcare provider will order to diagnose a condition affecting your urinary system depend on your symptoms and other factors. Some tests you may need to have include:
Urinalysis. A urinalysis (also known as a urine test) is a test that examines the color, appearance, chemical and microscopic aspects of your p*e.
Kidney functioning test. This test measures how well your kidneys are working. It can involve both a blood test and a urine test.
Blood tests. Blood tests can give healthcare providers clues as to what’s going on inside your body. Blood tests show what types of chemicals, proteins and other substances are in your blood.
Urethral swab. Also called a urethral discharge test, this test involves collecting a sample of discharge from your urethra for testing.
Urine culture. This type of test involves growing bacteria from a urine sample. Your provider may order this test after they diagnose a UTI. This helps them pinpoint exactly what bacteria caused the UTI.
Imaging tests. Your provider may order imaging tests to diagnose certain conditions. These include ultrasound, X-ray, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography) scan.
Care
Overview
Comparison of urinary system in males and females
Your urinary system is your body’s filtering system and produces your p*e. The organs of the urinary system include kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.
What is the urinary system?
The urinary system (or urinary tract) works as your body’s filtration system. When your urinary system removes toxins and wastes from your body, it comes out as p*e (urine). To be able to p*e, your body must pass this waste through a series of organs, ducts and tubes. If there’s a problem at any step in this process, it can affect if you’re able to p*e normally.
The main organs in your urinary system are:
Two kidneys (blood-filtering organs).
Two ureters (ducts that connect your kidneys to your bladder)
A bladder (an organ that holds your p*e).
A urethra (a tube connected to your bladder that allows p*e to leave your body).
Care at Cleveland Clinic
Find a Primary Care Provider
Schedule an Appointment
Function
What is the main function of the urinary system?
Your urinary system filters your blood to get rid of what your body doesn’t need. It eliminates extra water and salt, toxins and other waste products. Different parts of the urinary system perform tasks, including:
Filtering blood
Separating the toxins you don’t need from the nutrients you do need
Storing and carrying p*e out of your body
How does the urinary system filter my blood?
Your kidneys are an essential part of filtering your blood. Here’s how the urinary system works:
Your blood enters each kidney through lots of little arteries.
Your kidneys filter your blood, separating toxins from nutrients.
Vitamins, minerals, nutrients and proteins return back to your bloodstream.
Waste products and p*e move from your kidneys through your ureters and to your bladder.
Your bladder stores your p*e until you use the toilet.
P*e leaves your body through your urethra.
Anatomy
What are the organs of the urinary system?
The kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra make up the urinary system. They all work together to filter, store and remove liquid waste from your body. All of the organs in your urinary system are in your abdominal and pelvic region.
Here’s what each organ does:
Kidneys. These organs work constantly. They filter your blood and make p*e, which your body then eliminates. You have two kidneys, one on either side of the back of your abdomen, just below your rib cage. Each kidney is about as big as your fist. Your kidneys work hard — they filter about 120 to 150 quarts (113.6 to 141.95 liters) of blood per day, which produces about 1 to 2 quarts (0.95 to 1.95 liters) of p*e each day.
Ureters. These two thin tubes inside your pelvis carry p*e from your kidneys to your bladder. Each ureter is about 9 inches long.
Bladder. Your bladder holds p*e until you’re ready to empty it (p*e). It’s hollow, made of muscle, and shaped like a triangular balloon. Your bladder expands as it fills up. Most bladders can hold up to 2 cups (500 milliliters) of p*e at a time. P*eing is when you empty your bladder.
Urethra. This tube carries p*e from your bladder out of your body. You have two sphincter muscles that close off your urethra to keep p*e in when you aren’t using the toilet. These ring-like muscles open and close to let p*e out. Sometimes, these muscles weaken and it becomes hard to hold your p*e in.
Conditions and Disorders
What conditions and diseases affect the urinary system?
Many conditions can affect your ureters, kidneys, bladder and urethra. Infections, diseases or problems can appear at birth or develop as you get older. Cancer can also affect certain parts of your urinary tract.
Some common urinary disorders are:
Infections
Urinary tract infections and s*xually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause issues with your kidneys, urethra or bladder. These infections occur when bacteria enter your urinary tract through your urethra. Your healthcare provider can prescribe medication (typically antibiotics) to treat an infection.
Kidney stones
Kidney stones are small masses that form when waste products clump together. Kidney stones or ureteral stones (kidney stones that move to your ureter) can cause severe pain and block the flow of p*e.
Urination problems
Loss of bladder control or urinary incontinence (leakage), causes p*e to leak when you don’t want it to. It can be worse when you cough, laugh, sneeze or jump. Overactive bladder happens when you feel the sudden urge to p*e more often. Urinary retention is a condition where your bladder doesn’t completely empty each time.
Many of these conditions consist of lower urinary tract symptoms like an urge to p*e, a weak urine stream and leaking p*e. Medications and lifestyle modifications can help treat these conditions.
Urinary tract obstructions
Growths or tumors in any part of your urinary tract can affect the flow of p*e. An enlarged prostate can block your ureter so it’s harder to p*e. Other causes of ureteral obstruction include pregnancy and gastrointestinal (GI) issues like Crohn’s disease. Bladder outlet obstruction can also happen and prevent your bladder from emptying. Surgery can often help with obstructions in your urinary tract.
Kidney disease
Kidney disease is a common and serious condition that affects your urinary system. The most common causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are high blood pressure and diabetes. Managing blood pressure and blood sugar is crucial to lowering your risk of kidney disease. Kidney disease can lead to kidney failure. Kidney failure may require dialysis or a kidney transplant. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk for kidney disease so you can take steps to lower your risk.
Interstitial cystitis
Also called painful bladder syndrome, this condition causes inflammation in your bladder. Medications and physical therapy can improve the symptoms of painful bladder syndrome.
Structural problems
Sometimes, babies are born with conditions that affect the way their urinary tract forms. For example, an ectopic ureter is when your child’s ureter connects to a place other than their bladder. Other urinary system organs can be underdeveloped, which can lead to issues with p*eing.
A bladder prolapse is when your bladder drops into your va**na or hangs out of your va**nal opening. Sometimes surgery is required to fix the problem.
What are common symptoms of urinary tract conditions?
Symptoms vary depending on what condition you have. Many conditions share similar symptoms, like:
Changes in how you p*e. This could include many different symptoms like having to p*e more or less often and pain when you p*e.
Changes in your p*e. This may include p*e that’s brown, cloudy or contains blood.
Pain in your abdominal region. Since most of your urinary organs are in your abdomen, people with urinary issues may have pain, tenderness or feel pressure in that region of their body.
Fever, muscle aches and general unwell feeling. These could all be symptoms that indicate infection. You may also experience nausea or vomiting.
What tests can check for urinary system conditions?
The tests your healthcare provider will order to diagnose a condition affecting your urinary system depend on your symptoms and other factors. Some tests you may need to have include:
Urinalysis. A urinalysis (also known as a urine test) is a test that examines the color, appearance, chemical and microscopic aspects of your p*e.
Kidney functioning test. This test measures how well your kidneys are working. It can involve both a blood test and a urine test.
Blood tests. Blood tests can give healthcare providers clues as to what’s going on inside your body. Blood tests show what types of chemicals, proteins and other substances are in your blood.
Urethral swab. Also called a urethral discharge test, this test involves collecting a sample of discharge from your urethra for testing.
Urine culture. This type of test involves growing bacteria from a urine sample. Your provider may order this test after they diagnose a UTI. This helps them pinpoint exactly what bacteria caused the UTI.
Imaging tests. Your provider may order imaging tests to diagnose certain conditions. These include ultrasound, X-ray, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography) scan.
What’s the most common urinary system problem?
The most common urinary issues are urinary tract infections (UTIs). More than 60% of females will get at least one UTI in their lifetimes.
More than half of those who’ve given birth will experience urinary incontinence in their lifetimes, usually due to their pelvic floor muscles stretching.
Kidney stones are also fairly common, occurring in about 1 in every 10 people.
About 37 million people in the United States are living with chronic kidney disease.
How can I keep my urinary system healthy?
You can try to keep your urinary system healthy with proper hygiene and a healthy lifestyle. To help your urinary system work the way it should, you can:
Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated will flush out your system and can help you prevent kidney stones and UTIs.
Eat a balanced diet. Low-sodium, high-calcium foods may prevent kidney stones.
Empty your bladder fully. Make sure you let all of your p*e out when you use the toilet. Don’t hold p*e in for long periods of time.
Wipe the right way. If you have a va**na, you should always wipe front to back after using the toilet. Proper wiping reduces the risk of bacteria getting into your va**na and causing a UTI.
Empty your bladder after s*x. If you have a va**na, you should use the bathroom after having s*x. P*eing promptly can clear out bacteria and reduce your risk of a UTI.
Practice safe s*x. Protect yourself from s*xually transmitted infections with a condom.
Do pelvic floor exercises. Also called Kegel exercises, these can reduce your risk of urinary incontinence by strengthening the muscles in your pelvic floor.
Keep your ge***al area clean. Use mild soap and water to clean your ge***als and try to bathe or shower daily. Wear comfortable, loose underwear.
When should I call my doctor if I think I might have a problem with my urinary tract?
You should contact your healthcare provider if you’re having trouble or pain when you p*e. It may be a sign of an infection or another condition. Call your provider if you have:
Blood in your p*e (hematuria)
Burning sensation, pain or difficulty p*eing
Pain in your pelvic area, lower back, ge***al area or flank (the back and sides of your abdomen)
Trouble holding your p*e or problems with leaking p*e
A feeling that something is bulging out of your va**na.
مرکز تشخيص و تداوی امراض گرده، مثانه و پروستات نور
مرکز تشخيص و تداوی مرض شکر نور
مرکز صحی محمدی
DrNoor MMuhammadi
Dr Dr. Noor Muhammad "Muhammadi"
