The urinary system's primary waste product is urine, a fluid containing various waste materials filtered from the blood. This waste includes:
- Urea: A nitrogenous waste produced during the breakdown of proteins. Meat, poultry, and certain vegetables contribute to urea production. [Reference: The urinary system keeps the chemicals and water in balance by removing a type of waste, called urea, from the blood. Urea is produced when foods containing protein, such as meat, poultry, and certain vegetables, are broken down in the body. Urea is carried in the bloodstream to the kidneys.]
- Creatinine: A waste product from muscle metabolism. [Reference: Common waste products include nitrogen waste (urea), muscle waste (creatinine) and acids.]
- Excess salts and water: The kidneys regulate the body's fluid balance by removing excess water and electrolytes. [Reference: The urinary system keeps everything in balance by removing waste, like urea, extra salt, extra water and other things the body does not need.]
- Acids: The kidneys help maintain the body's acid-base balance by removing excess acids. [Reference: Common waste products include nitrogen waste (urea), muscle waste (creatinine) and acids.]
The urinary system, comprising the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, works to filter blood, removing these waste products and excess water to produce urine. This urine is then stored in the bladder and ultimately expelled from the body. [References: The urinary system's function is to filter blood and create urine as a waste by-product.; Your urinary system removes waste from your blood and makes and stores urine. It includes your kidneys and bladder.; The urinary system includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. This system filters your blood, removing waste and excess water. This waste becomes pee.; The kidneys are the part of the urinary tract that makes urine (pee).; The urinary tract, showing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. You have two kidneys that filter your blood, removing wastes and extra water to make…; The urinary tract is a pathway that includes the: kidneys: two bean-shaped organs that filter waste from the blood and produce urine; ureters: two thin tubes…; The kidney and urinary systems help the body to get rid of liquid waste called urea.] The efficient removal of these waste products is crucial for maintaining overall health and bodily homeostasis. [Reference: Most people know that a major function of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body.]
