1. Renal Anatomy and Histology Flashcards
What are the main functions of the kidneys? 2
Filter metabolic waste products and toxins from the bloodstream and convert the filtrate into urine.
BP regulation
What makes up the urinary tract which store and transport urine out of the body?
ureters, urinary bladder and urethra
The kidneys are ‘retroperitoneal lying’ meaning they are behind the peritoneal cavity at around T12-L3 levels. What is above the kidneys and which kidney lies lower?
The suprarenal gland lies above both kidneys and the right kidney is lower than the left kidney
The transpyloric plane is transverse through T12 and the superior pole of the right kidney. What else can be found near the transpyloric plane?
the left hilum of the kidney
The inferior pole of the right kidney is an index fingers breath superior to?
iliac crest
**right kidney is less covered by the 11th and 12th ribs, so more easily damaged
What fat is adjacent to the kidney capsule and extends into the renal hilum and pelvis, helping support and protect the kidney?
perinephric fat
What fascia covers fat enveloping kidney and suprarenal gland (perinephric fat). It also sheaths renal vessels and superiorly is continuous with the inferior diaphragmatic fascia?
renal fascia
The normal renal mobility is 3cm. What fat is external to the renal fascia?
paranephric fat
Where are biopsies commonly done of the kidney?
Towards the posterior lateral flank to avoid going through the peritoneal cavity
The renal capsule is dense irregular CT on the surface with a thin layer of myofibroblasts. What is the difference between renal cortex and medulla?
The cortex is the outer portion containing renal corpuscles while the medulla is towards the middle and consists of renal pyramids and columns
Renal columns lie between renal pyramids, both of which project into the?
major and minor calyxes
The renal lobes consist of a single pyramid plus the surrounding cortex. Where can renal pelvis and papillae be found?
Renal pelvis is the collecting funnel for urine
Renal papillae are projections of medullary pyramids apices into the calyxes
How does blood supply get to the kidneys? (3)
abdominal aorta to renal arteries (left and right) to segmental arteries
What are the main supplies to the ureter? (6)
renal branches gonadal branches from aorta abdominal aorta branches iliac branches superior vesicular branches pelvic branches (rectal, uterine, vaginal, inferior vesicular)
What is the blood supply to the kidneys after it reaches segmental arteries?
interlobar to arcuate to cortical radiate artery to afferent arteriole to glomerulus (capillaries) to efferent arteriole
How is the blood returned to the heart from the efferent arteriole?
peritubular capillaries and vasa recta to cortical radiate and arcuate vein to interlobar vein to renal vein to inferior vena cava
What is the main sympathetic innervation of the kidneys? (3)
- lesser splanchnic nerve (t10-11)
- least splanchnic nerve T12
both of these synapse in aorticorenal ganglia - Lumbar splanchnic nerves L1-L2
What is the parasympathetic innervation to the kidneys?
the vagus nerve
A nephron is a urine forming unit which consists of?
renal corpuscle and renal tubules
The second part of the urine carrying unit is made of cortical and medullary collecting ducts which houses what?
final concentration of urine
List the tubular structures starting from the bowmans capsule to the papillary duct. (11 structures total)
- Bowmans Capsule
- Proximal Convoluted Tubule
- Proximal straight tubule
- Thin loop of Henle
- Thick ascending loop of henle
- Macula densa location
- Distal convoluted tubule
- Collecting tubule
- Cortical Collecting duct
- Medullary collecting duct
- papillary duct