Urine leaves the kidneys by ureters , and collects in the bladder . The bladder can distend to store urine that eventually leaves through the urethra . Images from W.H. Freeman and Sinauer Associates, used by permission. The nephron consists of a cup-shaped capsule containing capillaries and the glomerulus , and a long renal tube . Blood flows into the kidney through the renal artery, which branches into capillaries associated with the glomerulus.
Arterial pressure causes water and solutes from the blood to filter into the capsule.
Fluid flows through the proximal tubule , which include the loop of Henle , and then into the distal tubule . The distal tubule empties into a collecting duct. Fluids and solutes are returned to the capillaries that surround the nephron tubule. Image from W.H. Freeman and Sinauer Associates, used by permission. Tubular reabsorption of water and conserved molecules back into the blood.