Urineweg

Urineweg is a term used in some languages to denote the urinary tract, the set of organs responsible for urine production, storage, and elimination. The main components are the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, which work together to filter blood, transport urine, store it, and expel it from the body.

The kidneys filter blood through microscopic units called nephrons, producing urine that contains waste products and excess substances. Urine travels from the kidneys to the bladder via the ureters, two muscular tubes that move urine with peristaltic waves. The bladder is a hollow organ that stores urine until voiding, and the urethra conducts urine to the outside.

Urination is regulated by nerves and muscles. As the bladder fills, stretch receptors signal the nervous system, which coordinates the decision to store or release urine. The external urethral sphincter can be controlled voluntarily, while the internal sphincter and detrusor muscle respond to involuntary reflexes.

Common conditions affecting the urineweg include urinary tract infections, kidney stones, bladder overactivity or incontinence, urethral strictures, and tumors of the kidney, bladder, or urethra. Chronic kidney disease and obstructive uropathy can impair urine flow and filtration.

Diagnosis typically relies on history, urinalysis, and sometimes urine culture, ultrasound, or CT urography. Treatment depends on the condition and may include hydration, antibiotics for infections, medications to modify bladder activity, or procedures to remove stones or relieve obstruction.