10 Flashcards
Are the kidneys intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal organs?
Retroperitoneal
Which surface of the kidneys are covered with peritoneum?
Anterior surface
Which muscles lie posterior to the kidneys and offer protection?
Psoas major
Quadratus lumborum
Where in the abdomen are the kidneys located?
Posterior abdomen
Upper L and R quadrants
What does ‘retroperitoneal’ mean?
Behind the peritoneum.
Which vertebral levels do the kidneys level with?
T12 to L3
Which kidney is often situated slightly lower and why?
Right kidney
Due to liver
Where to the adrenal glands sit?
- Immediately superiorly to the kidneys.
- Within the renal fascia.
The kidneys are encased in complex layers of fascia and fat.
How are they arranged from deep to superficial?
Renal capsule – Tough fibrous capsule.
Perirenal (or perinephric) fat – Collection of extraperitoneal fat.
Renal (Gerota’s) fascia – Encloses the kidneys and the suprarenal glands.
Pararenal (or paranephric) fat – Mainly located on the posterolateral aspect of the kidney.
Define ‘parenchyma’
Functional tissue of an organ.
Distinguished from the connective and supporting tissue.
Which 2 main areas is the renal parenchyma divided into?
– Outer cortex
– Inner medulla
The cortex extends into the medulla, dividing it into triangular shapes – these are known as renal pyramids.
What is the apex of the renal pyramid called?
Renal papilla
What is each renal papilla associated with?
– Minor calyx
– Which collects urine from the pyramids
What merges to form a major calyx?
Several minor calyces.
Urine passess through the major calices into what?
Renal pelvis
Describe the structure of the renal pelvis.
– Flattened
– Funnel-shaped
What is the medial margin of each kidney marked by?
A deep fissure (the renal hilum)
Via which structure does renal vessels and ureter enter/exit the kidney?
Renal hilum
What does the left kidney lie posterior to?
– Adrenal gland – Spleen – Stomach – Pancreas – L colic flexure – Jejunum
What does the left kidney lie anterior to?
– Diaphragm
– Ribs: 11th, 12th
– Muscles: Psoas major, Quadratus lumborum, Transversus abdominis.
– Nerves: Subcostal, Iliohypogastric, Ilioinguinal.
What does the right kidney lie posterior to?
– Suprarenal gland
– Liver
– Duodenum
– R colic flexure
What does the right kidney lie anterior to?
– Diaphragm
– 12th rib
– Muscles: Psoas major, Quadratus lumborum, Transversus abdominis.
– Nerves: Subcostal, Iliohypogastric, Ilioinguinal.
Where does the renal arteries originate from?
Abdominal aorta Immediately distal (below) to the origin of the superior mesenteric A.
Where does the abdominal aorta lie relative to the midline?
What significance does this have in the context of the renal arteries?
Slightly L of the midline.
Thus, the R renal A. is longer and crosses the vena cava posteriorly.