The Urinary System is formed by 6 main structures: The two kidneys, the ureters, the urethra, and the urinary bladder. 

Broadly, these components of the urinary system work together to cleanse and filter blood and ultimately produce urine which is then excreted out of the body with the waste components of the blood. Also the urinary system, specifically the kidneys, helps to maintain the body's ion, salt, and electrolyte balances within the blood.

The bovine kidney has multiple lobes which can be observed from the outside, so it is generally referred to as multilobar. 

As a tip, to identify the bovine kidney during a dissection look for the distinct multilobar structure! You can also relate it to the texture and lobules of a modern stress ball if that's easier to remember visually. 

In the kidney, there are various distinct parts within the lobes and structural anatomical areas with specific functions:

• Renal Hilus

  • This is where vasculature(Renal Artery, Renal Vein) ureters, tubes, nerves, and lymphatics enter/leave

• Renal Cortex

  • Renal corpuscles found here along with proximal and distal convoluted tubules

• Renal Medulla

  • Collecting tubules and loop of Henle within

• Renal pelvis

  • Wide origin of ureter

  • Receives urine from collecting tubules

  • **Not seen in Bovine: Calyces instead**

• Renal pyramids

  • The medullary portion of each lobe

  • Renal papilla directed towards renal pelvis

• The Renal Artery

  • This comes into the kidney bringing blood through the hilus

• The Renal Vein

  • The renal vein exits via the hilus, and drain the deoxygenated blood into the caudal vena cava