Anatomy of the upper renal tract: Flashcards
what does the urinary tract consist of?
The urinary tract consists of the anatomical structures through which urine passes from its production to its excretion (removal from the body)
what is the order through which urine is excreted?
the kidney (bilateral) - produces urine
the ureter - drains urine (from kidney to bladder)
the bladder (large muscle, detrusor muscle - contracts in order to empty the bladder) - stores/voids urine
the urethra - excretion of urine and semen in males
the urinary tract is divided into the?
upper and lower urinary tracts
the upper urinary tracts consists of?
the kidneys (right &left) the ureters (right & left) one to drain each kidney
the lower urinary tracts consists of?
the bladder (unpaired midline structure) the urethra (unpaired midline structure)
where can an upper UTI spread to?
kidneys or ureter
what does a lower UTI involve?
urethra and/or bladder
where is the urinary tract?
in the abdomen:
in the retroperitoneum (behind the peritoneum cavity):
Kidneys and proximal ureters
in the pelvis:
the distal ureters
the bladder
the proximal urethra
the perineum (floor of pelvis down to skin of the external genetalia): the distal urethra
what is in direct contact with the visceral peritoneum?
the anterior part of the kidney
the root of the kidney is
the renal hilum, where you find the arteries, veins and urinary structures
what is anterior to the artery?
Veins
Vein, Artery, ureter - most posteriorly
what are the anterolateral abdominal wall muscles?
external oblique
internal oblique
transversus abdominus
what is the order of tissues around the kidney?
visceral peritoneum
paranephric fat - looks like superficial fascia
renal (deep) fascia (thick)
perinephric fat - immediately surrounds the kidneys - liquid fat in the living
renal capsule
kidneys are cushioned by the layer of fat
renal capsule - a layer of deep fascia - needed for pathology
what is special about the renal capsule?
even if the kidney expands due to pathology, the renal capsule doesn’t allow it to expand
what is found on the patient’s left hand side?
the aorta, renal artery comes off the aorta
what is found on the patient’s right hand side?
the IVC , renal vein comes off the IVC, more anterior than the aorta
what lies posterior to the kidneys?
quadrates lumborum and lateral to posts major
what displaces the right kidney inferiorly?
the liver
what are the two ribs associated with the posterior and lateral aspects of the kidney?
ribs 11 and 12
the ribs offer some protection to the kidneys against penetrating trauma
but…should the ribs fracture the sharp displaced ends may contuse (bruise) or lacerate the kidney
the kidneys lie within which regions or quadrants?
in the left flank/LUQ and in the right flank (RUQ)
where duo you palpate for kidneys?
palpate posteriorly within the right flank just inferior to the 12th rib
palpate anterior within the RUQ
the liver and spleen lie in contact with the diaphragm superiorly and the superior poles of the kidneys move inferiorly on inspiration then superiorly on expiration. As the patient breathes in the kidneys descend and may be “trapped” for examination between the palpating hands