(A) Morphology: The two kidneys are compact, red brown oval or bean shaped structures located on the dorsal wall of the abdominal cavity (Figure 19.1). The right kidney is slightly lower (half an inch)than the left and about four inches in length and weighs about four ounces. Each kidney has an outer convex surface and shows an indentation on the inner side called the hylum. The hylum functions as a route of entry and exit for the blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves and ureters of the kidney. The renal artery branching from the aorta brings oxygenated blood to the kidneys and the renal vein takes deoxygenated blood away to the vena cava. A tube, the ureter, conveys urine from each kidney into the urinary bladder, which opens into the urethra. In females, the urethra opens in front of the vagina. In males, the urethra passes through the penis and transports both urine and semen. Each kidney is covered by a semi-liquid fatty tissue, the adipose capsule, and this in turn, is surrounded by fibrous connective tissue called the renal fascia. The paired adrenal glands are present on top of the kidneys.

Figure 19.1 Excretory system of a human female

i) The Ureter. The ureter is about ten inches long, and opens by a lateral angle into the urinary bladder.

ii) The Urinary Bladder. It is hollow extensible reservoir of urine, and changes it size and shape according to its contents. It is situated behind the pubic symphysis in males, and in front of the uterus in the female. It has an average capacity of seven ounces and a maximum capacity of ten ounces.