Anatomy of the Lower Renal Tract Flashcards
what are the 2 regions of the pelvis and what separates them?
true pelvis and false pelvis
separated by the pelvic rim/inlet
- above = false
- below = true
describe the path of the urinary tract through the cavities
pass from the retroperitoneum through the false pelvis and into the true pelvis
ureters enter bladder in the true pelvis
urethra passes from true pelvis through pelvic floor into the perineum
what is contained in each region of the pelvis?
false = abdominal viscera (part of abdominal cavity) true = pelvic viscera (part of pelvic cavity)
what sits below the true pelvis and what separates them?
perineum
separated by levator ani muscle (pelvic diaphragm) - AKA pelvic floor
where is the perineum?
between pelvic floor and skin of genitalia
anatomical features of the pelvic floor?
formed by the bowl shaped pelvic diaphragm
- made up of muscles including levator ani
openings for distal parts of alimentary, renal and reproductive tracts to pass from pelvic cavity to perineum
describe the specific route of the ureters
pass anterior to the common iliac vessels to enter the false pelvis
pass anteriorly on lateral walls of pelvis
turn medially at the level of the ischial spine to enter the posterior bladder in an inframedial direction
route is completely subperitoneal (below peritoneal cavity)
what is the significance of the inferomedial change in direction of the ureters?
prevents reflux of urine back into the ureters when the bladder contracts
what is the most dependant (deep) part of the peritoneal cavity in males and females when lying supine?
males = rectovesicle pouch females = rectouterine pouch (of douglas)
what does the round ligament of the uterus do and where is it found?
attaches uterus to the perineum via the inguinal canal
attaches to uterus below attachment of the uterine tube (fallopian tube)
anatomical relations of the ureters in the female pelvis?
ureter runs inferiorly to and underneath the uterine tubes and the uterine artery
“water under the bridge”
- important during gynae surgery (e.g hysterectomy which requires ligation of uterine artery)
anatomical relations of the ureters in the male pelvis?
ureters run inferiorly and underneath the vas deferens
pelvis blood supply in females?
mainly branches from internal iliac
- vesical arteries
- uterine arteries
- middle rectal artery
- vaginal artery
pelvis blood supply in males?
mainly branches of internal iliac - vesical arteries - middle rectal artery - prostatic arteries all pass under vas deferens
where is the prostate found?
directly inferior to the bladder
what are the 3 openings into the bladder and where are they found?
left and right ureteric orifices = where ureters enter bladder
internal urethral orifice = opening into urethra where the bladder empties
openings form a triangle with the 2 ureteric orifices at the top and the urethral orifice at the bottom
what is the triangle formed by the bladder orifices called?
trigone
what muscle forms the main bulk of the bladder wall?
detrusor muscle
contracts to empty the bladder
secondary function of the detrusor muscle?
has fibres which encircle the ureteric orifices and contract around them, blocking them off and preventing reflux of urine
what function of the detrusor muscle is only found in males?
forms the internal urethral sphincter muscle (smooth muscle) around the neck of the male bladder which contracts during ejaculation to prevent semen entering bladder during ejaculation
anatomical relations of the bladder in females?
empty bladder is tucked behind pubic symphysis
body of uterus sits on top of bladder (= anteflexed position)
vagina is immediately posterior to the bladder
what structure bears most of the weight of the uterus?
bladder
anatomical relations of the bladder in males?
prostate lies directly inferior
rectum lies posterior