Urinary Lab

We will be exploring the fascinating world of urinalysis and urinary system anatomy. This lab is divided into two engaging parts, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the urinary system and its functions.

In the first part of the lab, you will have the opportunity to perform urinalysis on your own urine sample. You will collect your sample and use a 10-panel reagent strip to test various parameters, such as pH, glucose, and protein levels. Following this, you will centrifuge your sample and use sedistain to prepare it for microscopic examination. This will allow you to observe any microscopic elements present in the urine, such as cells or crystals.

The second part of the lab will focus on the dissection of a fetal pig's urinary tract, including the kidneys. This hands-on experience will provide you with a deeper understanding of the urinary system's structure and function. By comparing the pig's anatomy to your own, you will gain valuable insights into the similarities and differences between species.

Please remember to follow all safety guidelines and procedures during the lab, including wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and handling specimens with care.

Objectives

·         Perform urinalysis using a 10-panel reagent strip to test various parameters, including pH, glucose, and protein levels.

·         Collect and prepare a urine sample for microscopic examination, identifying and analyzing microscopic elements present in the urine, such as cells or crystals.

·         Dissect a fetal pig's urinary tract, including the kidneys, to gain a deeper understanding of the urinary system's structure and function.

·         Compare and contrast the anatomy of the pig's urinary system with the human urinary system to identify similarities and differences between species.

Materials

·         PPE

·         Sterile urine collection container

·         10-panel reagent strips

·         Centrifuge tubes

·         Centrifuge

·         Empty Microscope slides

·         Coverslips

·         Sedistain

·         Microscope

·         Pipet

·         Dissection tray

·         Dissection tools (scalpel, scissors, forceps, probe)

Urinalysis

1.       Put on your gloves, lab coat, and safety goggles.

2.       Collect a urine sample in the sterile urine collection container.

3.       Dip a 10-panel reagent strip into the urine sample, following the manufacturer's instructions for the appropriate time and method.

4.       Use the key provided by the manufacturer to read the results from the reagent strip

a.       Make sure to read the results at the appropriate times.

b.       Record the results.

5.       Transfer 1ml of the urine sample into a centrifuge tube, label the tube with initials.

6.       Centrifuge the sample for 7 minutes at ~1500 RPM.

7.       Remove one drop of urine from the bottom of the centrifuge tube.

8.       Prepare a microscope slide by placing a drop of the centrifuged urine on the slide.

9.       Add a drop of sedistain to the urine sample on the slide.

10.    Place a coverslip over the sample.

11.    Examine the slide under the microscope, observing and recording any findings.  Use the charts to identify.

Urinalysis key may look like example below.

Draw and identify what you found in the urine sample below.

Fetal Pig Dissection

1.       Ensure that you have a clean and organized workspace.

a.       Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including gloves, goggles, and a lab coat.

b.       Obtain a preserved fetal pig specimen and place it on a dissection tray.

2.       Initial incisions and exposing the abdominal cavity:

a.       Position the fetal pig ventral side up.

b.       Make a shallow midline incision from the base of the neck to the anus, being careful not to puncture the internal organs.

c.        Make lateral incisions at the base of the neck and near the anus, extending towards the pig's sides.

d.       Gently lift the flaps of skin and muscle to expose the abdominal cavity.

3.       Removing the peritoneum:

a.       Locate the thin, transparent membrane called the peritoneum, which covers the abdominal organs.

b.       Carefully cut and remove the peritoneum to expose the organs underneath.

4.       Exposing the kidney and ureter:

a.       Identify the two bean-shaped kidneys located towards the posterior end of the abdominal cavity, on either side of the spine.

b.       Carefully remove any surrounding adipose tissue to expose the kidneys and the ureters, which are thin tubes connecting the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

5.       Cutting open the kidney to identify internal structures:

a.       Remove one kidney from the specimen by carefully cutting the connective tissue holding it in place and the renal artery and vein.

b.       Place the kidney on a separate dissection tray.

c.        Using a scalpel, make a longitudinal incision along the convex side of the kidney, cutting it in half.

d.       Identify the internal structures, including the renal cortex (outer layer), renal medulla (inner layer), renal pelvis (central cavity), and the minor and major calyxes.

6.       Finding and opening the urinary bladder:

a.       Locate the urinary bladder, a small sac-like organ located near the anterior end of the pig's pelvic cavity.

b.       Carefully cut the connective tissue holding the bladder in place.

c.        Make a small incision at the top of the bladder and use scissors to cut it open, exposing the interior.

7.       Tracing the urethra to the urogenital opening:

a.       Identify the urethra, a tube that extends from the base of the urinary bladder to the urogenital opening.

b.       Carefully trace the urethra to the urogenital opening, which is located near the base of the umbilical cord in females and near the base of the penis in males.

8.       Cleanup and disposal:

a.       Properly dispose of the fetal pig specimen and any removed tissues according to your institution's guidelines.

b.       Clean and disinfect all tools and the dissection tray.

c.        Remove and properly dispose of gloves, goggles, and lab coat.

d. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Use the space below to draw the complete urinary tract (with kidney dissected) of your fetal pig dissection.  Then draw then same for a human.  Label all internal and external parts.  Compare the two species.

Review Questions

1.       What is the primary function of the human urinary system?
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2.       Explain the process of urine formation in the human urinary system.
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3.       How does the urinary system regulate blood pressure?
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4.       Compare and contrast the structures and functions of the ureters and urethra.
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5.       How would the urinary system compensate for dehydration?
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6.       Analyze the impact of kidney failure on the human body.
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7.       What is the role of the nephron in the human urinary system?
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8.       How do diuretics affect urine production in the human urinary system?
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9.       How would a blockage in the urinary tract impact urine flow and kidney function?
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10.    Analyze the role of the juxtaglomerular apparatus in regulating blood pressure in the human urinary system.
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