Anatomy

Question 1

Where do the kidneys lie?

Location and vertebral level

Answer 1

Paravertebral gutters on the posterior abdominal wall on either side of the vertebral column between vertebrae T12-L3

Question 2

What level does the hills of the kidney lie?

Answer 2

Transpyloric plane

Question 3

At what level does the transpyloric plane lie?

Answer 3

L1

Question 4

The kidney is enclosed by 4 layers; name them.

Answer 4

Fibrous renal capsule

Fatty renal capsule

Renal fascia
-Fibro fatty tissue

Pararenal fatty tissue
-Mainly on the posterior aspect of the kidney

Question 5

Name the anterior relations of the left kidney

Answer 5

Suprarenal gland
Spleen
Pancreas
Stomach
Splenic flexure of colon
Small bowel

Question 6

Name the anterior relations of the right kidney

Answer 6

Suprarenal gland
Liver
Duodenum
Jejunum
Transverse colon

Question 7

What is the nerve supply to the kidneys?

Answer 7

Sympathetic nerves originate in the T12 and L1 spinal segments, pass through the coeliac ganglia and along the renal artery to the organ.

Parasympathetic nerves are derived from the vagus nerve

Question 8

What is the lymphatic drainage of the kidney?

Answer 8

Para-aortic lymph nodes around the origin of the renal arteries (L1)

Question 9

At what vertebral level are the paired renal arteries given off from the abdominal aorta?

Answer 9

L1-L2

Question 10

What happens to the renal arteries at the hilum of the kidney?

Answer 10

Divide to 5 segmental arteries

Question 11

Where does the left renal vein travel in relation to the aorta?

Answer 11

Anterior

Question 12

Where does the right renal artery travel in relation to the inferior vena cava?

Answer 12

Posterior

Question 13

Where do the testicular veins drain?

Answer 13

Right side -> IVC

Left side -> left renal vein

Question 14

Describe the course of the ureters

• Where does it arise?
• What cavity are they in?
• Where does it run? (over, under, along side?)

Answer 14

Commences as a dilatation called the renal pelvis, which lies posterior to the renal vessels

Proximal part is in abdominal cavity
Distal part is in the pelvic cavity

Descends running on the psoas major muscle

Crosses anterior to the bifurcation of the common iliac artery, courses along the lateral wall of the pelvis, and turns medially to reach the bladder

Question 15

How does the ductus deferens relate anatomically to the ureters?

Answer 15

Crosses superiorly

Question 16

How does the ovarian artery relate to the ureters?

Answer 16

Crosses superiorly

Question 17

Which part of the bladder do the ureters enter?

Answer 17

Fundus

Question 18

Which part of the bladder do the ureters exit?

Answer 18

Neck

Question 19

At the apex of the bladder the median umbilical ligament ascends to the umbilicus.

What is this a remenent of?

Answer 19

Urachus (fibrosed allantois)

Question 20

How does the peritoneum relate to the bladder?

Answer 20

Parietal peritoneum from the inferior abdominal wall drapes over the superior surface of the urinary bladder and dips down behind the posterior surface to form peritoneal pouches

Question 21

What kind of epithelium lines the urinary bladder and ureter?

Answer 21

Urothelium (Transitional epithelium)

Question 22

What is the advantage of urothelium?

Answer 22

Can contract and expand, protective, doesnt let water escape