PHYSICAL WELLNESS

the supply + drain lines

BLOOD VESSELS

Blood vessels are the delivery and cleanup crew of the urinary system.
They bring blood to the kidneys to be filtered, and then carry the cleaned blood back into circulation while waste products head toward urine. Acts as the exit path for urine

  • Deliver blood full of oxygen + nutrients to kidney tissue

  • Carry in blood loaded with waste to be filtered

  • Return cleaned blood back into the body’s circulation

  • Help regulate blood pressure through kidney signaling

  • Support balance of water, salts, and minerals in the blood

BLOOD VESSEL BASICS

Common Terms + Simple Definitions

Here’s a mini glossary for blood vessel related words you’ll see throughout the site:

Renal Artery - The main “entry road” bringing blood into each kidney

Renal Vein - The “exit road” carrying filtered blood back to the body

Glomerulus - Tiny ball of capillaries where blood is first filtered

Peritubular Capillaries - Small vessels around kidney tubules for exchange of water/salts

Vasa Recta - Straight vessels that help concentrate urine in the nephron

types of blood vessels

WHAT BLOOD VESSELS WORK WITH

BLOOD VESSELS + OTHER SYSTEMS

  1. Kidneys → Filter waste + balance electrolytes in the blood

  2. Nephrons → Tiny filtering units connected directly to capillaries

  3. Renal Artery → Brings in “dirty” blood from the heart

  4. Renal Vein → Sends “clean” blood back into circulation

  5. Hormones (Renin, Aldosterone, ADH) → Adjust vessel tone + kidney filtering

  6. Circulatory System → Works hand-in-hand, since kidneys filter what the blood delivers

HealthY BLOOD VESSELS…

Without blood vessels, the kidneys couldn’t do their job.
They supply the kidneys with the raw material (blood) to filter and also remove the cleaned blood to keep the body’s inner environment balanced.
This teamwork between the urinary and circulatory systems is what keeps your body’s waste cleared, fluids stable, and blood pressure in check.