0. Introduction

The urinary system has many roles including cleansing the blood and ridding the body of wastes. However, there are additional, equally important functions played by the system including regulation of pH, blood pressure, concentration of red blood cells, and production of vitamin D. If the kidneys fail, these functions are compromised or lost altogether, with devastating effects on the body. The urinary system, controlled by the nervous system, also stores urine until a convenient time for disposal and then provides the anatomical structures to transport this waste liquid to the outside of the body.