The urinary system acts as the body's drainage system. It removes urine, which is excess waste and water, from the body. In addition to being highly important in the elimination of waste and maintaining the balance of body fluids, the urinary system is also responsible for regulating blood pressure, blood volume, and blood pH levels. A dysfunction in the urinary system will severely affect a person’s health and quality of life.

The urinary system is comprised of these main organs:

• Kidneys, which are two fist-sized organs located in the abdominal cavity on both sides of the lumbar spine. They have the main function of filtering waste in the blood, absorbing beneficial substances back to the body, maintaining fluid balance, producing hormones to regulate blood pressure, and producing red blood cells. Urine produced in the kidneys flow from the ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder) to the bladder. Urine from the bladder then flows to the ureter and out the body.
• Bladder, the organ that is used to hold urine before it is expelled from the body through the urethra
• Urethra, which is connected to the bladder. It acts as a passageway for urine to flow from the bladder and out of the body. Men have urethras that are longer in length than women, as well, in men, the urethra is not detached from the genitals. The male urinary tract is part of the male reproductive system.