Anatomy Flashcards
Describe the function of the 4 MAIN structures that urine passes through before it is excreted
Kidney = produces urine Ureter = drains urine Bladder = stores/voids urine Urethra = excretion of urine
What anatomical structures make up the Upper Urinary tract?
kidneys (right &left)
ureters (right & left)
What structures make up the Lower Urinary tract?
bladder
urethra
What structures of the urinary tract are retroperitoneal?
kidneys
proximal ureters
What parts of the urinary tract are found within the pelvis?
- distal ureters
- bladder
- proximal urethra
What urinary structure is found in the perineum?
the distal urethra
What structures make up the renal hilum (from anterior to posterior)?
Renal vein
Renal artery
Ureter
What muscle is found posterior to the kidneys?
Quadratus Lumborum
What muscle is found medial to the kidneys?
Psoas Major
What layers of muscle are found lateral to the kidney?
Transversus Abdominis
Internal Oblique
External Oblique
from kidney outwards
What structures occupy the space between the anterior surface of the kidney and the visceral peritoneum?
- Visceral peritoneum
- Paranephric fat
- Renal (deep) fascia
- Perinephric fat
- Renal capsule
What should be noted about the blood supply to and from the kidneys on a CT scan?
The aorta is found more posterior than the IVC
What vertebral level is the left kidney found at?
T12-L2
What vertebral level is the right kidney found at and why is this?
L1-L3
pushed down by liver
Fracture of what ribs can cause potential trauma to the kidneys?
11 or 12 (floating ribs)
sharp displaced ends may bruise/lacerate the kidney
What quadrant / region is the Left kidney found in?
LUQ
Left Lumbar Region
What quadrant / region is the Right kidney found in?
RUQ
Right Lumbar Region
How do you “Ballot” for the kidneys?
- Palpate posteriorly in the lumbar/flank region inferior to the 12th rib
- Palpate Anteriorly in the RUQ
- Ask patient to breathe in so that diaphragm and either liver or spleen descend and move kidney downwards so it can be felt
A non-smooth kidney indicates an abnormality. TRUE/FALSE?
TRUE
What structures is the Right Kidney posterior to?
- liver
- hepatorenal recess
- 2nd part of duodenum
- ascending colon
- right colic (hepatic) flexure
What structures is the Left Kidney posterior to?
- stomach
- tail of the pancreas
- hilum of the spleen
- splenic vessels
What is the significance of the hepatorenal recess?
Fluid collects here if patient is lying on their back
Are the renal veins or arteries anterior at the kidneys?
Veins are anterior
Are the veins or arteries anterior at the level of common iliac bifurcation?
Arteries are anterior
Where does lymph from the kidneys drain to?
lumbar lymph nodes
Where does lymph from the ureters drain to?
Proximal = lumbar Distal = iliac
Describe the relationship of a supra-renal AAA to the renal arteries?
Begins above the level of the renal arteries but can also extend below the renal arteries
Describe the relationship of an infra-renal AAA to the renal arteries?
Starts below the level of the renal arteries
How are AAAs repaired?
Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR)
If the renal arteries are stenosed in an Infra-renal AAA, this is usually due to the aneurysm itself. TRUE/FALSE?
FALSE
- usually due to atherosclerosis
- Stenosis in supra-renal AAAs are usually due to the aneurysm itself
In what ways can the renal system vary anatomically?
Bifid renal pelvis Bifid Ureter OR Unilateral duplicated ureter Retrocaval Ureter (behind IVC) Horseshoe Kidney Ectopic Pelvic Kidney