13. Retroperitoneal Structures

Question 1

What is meant by ‘retroperitoneal’?

Answer 1

Behind the parietal peritoneum - i.e. only covered on one surface

Question 2

Which structures are retroperitoneal?

Answer 2

SAD PUCKER
Suprarenal glands
Aorta (and IVC)
Duodenum (2nd and 3rd part)
Pancreas (except tail)
Ureters
Colon (ascending and descending)
Kidneys
oEsophagus
Rectum

Question 3

Which structures are primary retroperitoneal? (2 main ones)

Answer 3

Kidneys

Adrenal glands

Question 4

Which kidney sits higher?

Answer 4

Left

Question 5

What makes up the hilum of the kidney?

Answer 5

Renal vein
Branches of renal artery
(Renal pelvis/ ureter is posterior)

Question 6

MAKE SURE YOU CAN LABEL DIAGRAM OF KIDNEY

Answer 6

LABEL DIAGRAM (LECTURE SLIDE 13)

Question 7

At what vertebral level does the renal artery branch from the aorta?

Answer 7

L1

Question 8

Describe the right renal artery - in terms of length and position to the IVC

Answer 8

Longer than the left

Posterior to IVC

Question 9

What are the arteries inside the kidney?

Answer 9

Lobar
Interlobar
Arcuate
Afferent glomerular arterioles

Question 10

Where does blood from the kidney drain?

Answer 10

Renal veins then IVC

Question 11

Where does lymph from the kidney drain?

Answer 11

Lateral aortic nodes around origin of renal artery

Question 12

What is the nerve supply of the kidney?

Answer 12

Renal sympathetic plexuses

Question 13

Where do afferent fibres from the kidney enter the spinal cord?

Answer 13

Levels T10 - T12

Question 14

Which vein is longer - left or right renal vein?

Answer 14

Left renal vein (x3 length of right)

Question 15

Which veins join the left renal vein?

Answer 15

Left gonadal and left suprarenal veins

Question 16

What structures does the left renal vein pass behind?

Answer 16

Splenic vein and body of pancreas

Question 17

What structures does the right renal vein pass behind?

Answer 17

Descending duodenum

Question 18

Where do the ureters enter the bladder?

Answer 18

Trigone

Question 19

Where are the ureteric constrictions? (3)

Answer 19

Junction of ureters and renal pelvis
Where ureters cross pelvic brim
As the ureters enter the wall of the bladder

Question 20

What is the arterial supply of the ureters?

Answer 20

Renal artery
Testicular/ ovarian artery
Superior vesical artery

Question 21

What is the venous drainage of the ureters?

Answer 21

Renal veins
Testicular/ ovarian veins
Superior vesical vein

Question 22

Where does lymph from the ureters drain?

Answer 22

Lateral aortic (at L1) nodes
Iliac nodes

Question 23

What is the nerve supply of the ureters?

Answer 23

Renal plexus
Testicular/ ovarian plexus
Hypogastric plexus

Question 24

What vertebral levels do afferent fibres from the ureter go?

Answer 24

L1 and L2

Question 25

What does the cortex of the adrenal gland produce?

Answer 25

Corticoids and glucocorticoids

Question 26

What does the medulla of the adrenal gland produce?

Answer 26

Adrenaline and noradrenaline

Question 27

What shapes are the adrenal glands?

Answer 27

Right - pyramidal

Left - cresenteric

Question 28

What is the arterial supply of the adrenal glands?

Answer 28

Suprarenal branch of inferior phrenic
Suprarenal branch of aorta
Suprarenal branch of renal

Question 29

What is the venous drainage of the adrenal glands?

Answer 29

R - IVC

L - renal vein

Question 30

Where does lymph from the adrenal glands drain?

Answer 30

Lateral aortic nodes

Question 31

What is the nerve supply of the adrenal glands?

Answer 31

Pre-ganglionic sympathetic from splanchnic nerves