Final answer:
The filtration process begins in the glomerulus, with the filtrate passing through various parts of the nephron where reabsorption and secretion occur. Urine is finally formed and collected, transported through the ureters to the bladder, and eventually excreted via the urethra.
Step-by-step explanation:
The path of filtrate/urine from the glomerulus to the outside of the body involves several key structures of the urinary system. Initially, the glomerulus filters the blood based on particle size, excluding large elements like blood cells and proteins. The resulting filtrate then flows into Bowman's capsule and proceeds to the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), where reabsorption and secretion of various substances occur. The filtrate continues to the loop of Henle and the distal convoluted tubule (DCT), undergoing further reabsorption and secretion.
After passing through the nephron, the processed fluid, now called urine, enters the collecting ducts, where fine-tuning of water recovery occurs in response to ADH. The urine flows into the renal papilla and then into the ureters, muscular tubes that transport urine to the bladder via peristalsis. The bladder stores urine until it reaches a certain volume, triggering micturition. The urethra then transports urine from the bladder to the outside environment.
The color of urine is typically yellow due to urochrome, a heme-derived pigment. Urine's physical characteristics vary based on factors such as water intake and diet. Urinalysis is the analysis of urine to diagnose diseases. The vasa recta and the peritubular capillaries are involved in reabsorption of substances from the filtrate, helping to form urine while conserving vital nutrients and maintaining homeostasis.