Which organs are part of the excretory system?

The organs that comprise the excretory system are specifically designed to remove waste products from the body and regulate various homeostatic functions. The kidneys are the primary organs that filter blood and produce urine, which transports waste. From the kidneys, the urine is carried through the ureters to the bladder, where it is stored until excretion. Finally, the urethra serves as the passageway through which urine leaves the body.

This collection of organs works together to ensure that metabolic wastes, such as urea from protein breakdown and excess salts and water, are effectively eliminated from the body, thereby maintaining overall fluid and electrolyte balance. Understanding the role of each component helps clarify how the excretory system maintains homeostasis.

In contrast, other options include organs associated with different systems; for instance, the liver and pancreas are part of the digestive system involved in processing nutrients rather than waste elimination. The heart and lungs are integral to the circulatory and respiratory systems, respectively. The intestines are responsible for nutrient absorption, while the gallbladder stores bile, which aids in digestion, and they do not play a role in the excretion of metabolic wastes.