The Urinary Tract (also called the urinary system) is comprised of two kidneys, two ureters, the urinary bladder, and the urethra. In boys the penis is also part of the urinary tract. The kindeys are responsible for removing the waste materials found in the blood stream and making urine to excrete from the body. The kidneys filter the blood removing the toxic and waste products. After being made by the kidneys, the urine is stored in the bladder. Sometimes in Prune Belly Syndrome, the kidneys are damaged and do not work properly. This is one of the most dangerous risk factors of PBS. If there is kidney failure, the body builds up the toxic waste products and this is a life-threatening situation. If the kidneys are not functioning adequately to remove the waste products, the person needs to be on dialysys and get a kidney transplant. Often there is some degree of kidney damage before birth and sometimes one of the kidneys gets so damaged that it must be removed. If one is removed, the remaining kidney will enlarge within a few months to take over the job of both kidneys. In addition to eliminating wastes, the kidneys also regulate many important body functions. They monitor and maintain the body's balance of water, ensuring that our tissues receive enough water to function properly and be healthy. The kidneys have a big part in regulating blood pressure, regulating the acid base balance of the body, and the kidneys secrete a hormone called erythropoietin which stimulates and controls red blood cell production.

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