Anatomy Of The Urinary System Flashcards
List the functions of the kidneys and urinary tract
- excretion
- regulation: fluid volume, ionic components, acid-base balance + homeostasis
- endocrine: synthesis of renin, erythropoietin, prostaglandins
- metabolism: activate vit D + catabolism of insulin, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin
Describe the anatomical location of the kidneys
- retroperitoneum on the posterior abdominal wall either side of the vertebral column
- between T12-L3 vertebrae
What is a small kidney (<8cm) a sign of?
Chronic kidney disease
Losing the cortex
What vertebral level is the hilum at?
L1
What layers surround the kidney?
- renal capsule
- perirenal fat
- renal fascia - holds fat + kidneys in place
- pararenal fat
What parts of the nephron are in the cortex?
- bowman’s capsule
- PCT
- DCT
What part of the nephron is in the medulla?
- Loop of Henlé
- collecting duct
Outline the drainage of the kidneys
- collecting duct
- papillae
- minor calyces
- major calyces
- renal pelvis
- ureter
What are the two types of nephrons?
- Cortical: short LoH
- Juxtamedullary: long LoH
Outline the blood supply to the kidneys from the aorta to the inferior vena cava
- aorta
- renal artery
- segmental artery
- interlobar artery
- arcuate artery
- interlobular artery
- Afferent arteriole
- golmerulus
- Efferent arteriole
- peritubular capillaries OR vasa recta
- interlobular vein
- arcuate vein
- interlobar vein
- segmental vein
- renal vein
- IVC
Describe the ureters
- smooth muscle fibres that propel urine to urinary bladder
- 25-30cm
- retroperitoneal
- lateral to tips of transverse processes
What is the most common area of ureteric injury?
Near the pelvic brim
What bony landmarks can be used in an X-ray to approximate the course of the ureter?
- L1 at the hilium
- runs lateral to the tip of lumbar transverse processes
- crosses and descends into pelvis at sacroiliac joint
- kink towards bladder at ischial spine
What prevents urine from moving back up the ureter?
Increased pressure closes the vesicoureteral junction
What allows the bladder to contract and expand?
Muscular folds called rugae