Anatomy of the Upper Renal Tract Flashcards
what is the urinary tract?
anatomical structures through which urine passes from its production to its excretion
Kidney > Ureter > Bladder > Urethra
what is excreted via the urethra?
urine and semen in males
what are the components of the upper urinary tract?
kidneys (right and left)
ureters (right and left)
- one to drain each kidney
what are the components of the lower urinary tract?
bladder
urethra (unpaired)
where will an upper urinary tract infection spread?
kidneys
where will a lower urinary tract infection spread?
urethra and bladder
what urinary tract components are found in the abdomen?
kidneys
proximal ureters
(both are retroperitoneal)
what urinary tract components are found in the pelvis?
distal ureters
bladder
proximal urethra
what urinary tract components are found in the perineum?
distal urethra
where are the kidneys found?
retroperitoneal organs inside the abdominal cavity
anterior surface of kidneys are in contact with visceral peritoneum
right = level of L2
left = level of L1
what is the renal hilum?
root of the kidney
main arteries, veins and urinary structures enter/exit the kidney here
what enters/exits via the renal hilum?
renal vein
renal artery
ureter
(from anterior to posterior)
what are the 3 layers of the anterolateral abdominal wall msucles?
external oblique
internal oblique
transversus abdominus
what layers are found on top of the kidneys (anteriorly)?
visceral peritoneum paranephric fat renal (deep) fascia perinephric fat renal capsule (basically another layer of deep fascia) (from outside to inside)
describe perinephric fat
almost like liquid fat
kidney is therefore almost floating in the liquid fat
what causes pain when kidney is inflamed etc?
affects the renal capsule which is very tightly wrapped around the kidney
aorta vs vena cava on CT?
aorta always on patient’s left side
IVC always on patients right side, site more anteriorly than aorta
can look similar as renal artery extends from aorta and renal vein from the IVC
vertebral position of each kidney?
left = T12 - L2
right = L1 - L3
- due to presence of liver which pushes it down
which ribs are associated with the kidneys?
ribs 11 and 12 (floating ribs)