12: Renal Flashcards
What is another name for the renal system?
The urinary tract
The kidneys regulate many different body variables and so are essential for maintaining ___.
homeostasis
What passes through the renal system on its way to being excreted?
Urine
In which organ is urine produced?
Kidneys
Which duct drains urine from the kidneys?
In which organ does the drained urine end up?
Ureter
Bladder
Which organ stores urine which has been drained from the kidneys?
Bladder
Which tube allows for the excretion of urine after it has been stored in the bladder?
Urethra
What is expelled from the urethra in males?
Urine
Semen
The renal system filters ___.
blood
How is the bladder adapted for urine storage and voiding (emptying)?
Its epithelial cells can STRETCH when the bladder is full
Which type of epithelium lines the ureter up until the upper urethra?
Transitional epithelium
Which type of epithelium lines the distal urethra?
Stratified squamous epithelium
Ureters
Urethra
Kidneys
Bladder
Arrange these renal system organs in order of urine production to secretion.
Kidneys
Ureters
Bladder
Urethra
How many ureters are there?
Two
one for each kidney.
Which structures are classed as being in the upper urinary tract?
Kidneys
Ureters
Which organs are classed as being in the lower urinary tract?
Bladder
Urethra
Which organ(s) would be involved in an upper urinary tract infection?
Kidneys
Which organ(s) would be involved in a lower urinary tract infection?
Bladder
Urethra
Where, in terms of body cavities, are the kidneys found?
Abdominal cavity
retroperitoneal
Where, in terms of body cavities, are the proximal ureters found?
Abdominal cavity
retroperitoneal
Are the kidneys peritoneal or retroperitoneal?
Retroperitoneal
Are the proximal ureters peritoneal or retroperitoneal?
Retroperitoneal
Where, in terms of body cavities, is the bladder found?
Pelvic cavity
The (proximal / distal) ureters, bladder and (proximal / distal) urethra are found in the pelvic cavity.
distal ureters
proximal urethra
Where is the distal part of the urethra found?
Perineum
Given the position of the kidneys in the abdominal cavity, from which side of the body are they more likely to be palpated?
Posterior aspect
In which abdominal quadrants are the right and left kidneys found?
Left kidney - LUQ
Right kidney - RUQ
Regions:
Left and right lumbar regions posteriorly
Which aspects of the vertebral column protect the kidneys?
Transverse processes
What ribs protect the kidneys?
Ribs 11 & 12 (floating ribs)
What organ forces the right kidney down somewhat?
Liver
Be aware that there are many layers of ___ which protect the kidneys.
fascia
Which structures are found in the renal hilum?
Ureter
Renal artery
Renal vein
What is the innermost layer of tissue protecting the kidneys?
Renal capsule
Which arteries supply the ureters?
Renal arteries
Gonadal arteries
Aorta
What is the basic structural and functional unit of the kidney?
Nephron
__ segmental branches arise from each ___ artery to supply nephrons.
Five
renal
Which veins drain the kidneys?
Right and left renal veins
Which renal vein is longer?
Why?
Left renal vein
It has to cross the aorta and drain into the IVC
Where do the renal veins and the gonadal veins drain?
Inferior vena cava (IVC)
Similar to the adrenal glands, what are the two main aspects of the kidney?
Cortex (outer)
Medulla (inner)
After urine has passed through the collecting ducts of the nephrons, where does it drain into?
Ureter
From the nephron’s collecting ducts to the ureter, the diameter of urine drainage increases until constriction at which structure?
Pelviureteric junction
What is a colloquial name for renal calculi?
Kidney stones
What are renal calculi made up of?
Calcium oxalate
Calcium phosphate
Renal calculi tend to be visible on which imaging modality?
USS
At which three sites can the ureter be obstructed?
- Pelviureteric junction
- Ureter’s crossing over the common iliac artery
- Ureteric orifice (opening into bladder)
Name an example of an internal obstruction which can block the ureter.
Renal calculus within the lumen
Blood clot
What is haematuria?
Passing blood in the urine
Name an example of external obstruction which can block the ureter.
Expanding tumour in another structure (e.g the Gi tract)
Which type of muscle makes up the walls of the ureter?
Smooth muscle
Think GI tract!
By which process does the body try to clear obstructions from the ureter?
Peristalsis
Which kind of pain is associated with peristalsis in an attempt to clear ureteric obstruction?
Pain which “comes and goes”
Also known as renal colic
What kind of pain comes and goes in relation to peristalsis in the ureter?
Renal colic
What is micturition?
Ejection of urine from the urethra via the bladder
i.e peeing
What is the bladder?
A “bag” which stores urine
What are the two areas of the bladder?
Apex
Trigone
Does the apex stretch as the bladder fills?
Yeah
Does the trigone stretch as the bladder expands?
Why?
No
So the orifices aren’t blocked
Which muscle, found in the bladder, contracts during micturition?
Detrusor
Bladder sphincters are (voluntary / involuntary).
involuntary
Which condition, common in older men, can result in difficulty urinating or involuntary urination?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
How does a suprapubic catheter reach the bladder?
Via the anterior abdominal wall
How does a urinary catheter reach the bladder?
Via the urethra
Why are urinary tract infections more common in females?
Their urethras are short, distensible and more open
What is renal failure?
Failure to filter the blood to produce urine
Urinary tract obstruction causes back pressure, which can lead to ___ ___.
renal failure
