Functions and Anatomy

Question 1

What are the major functions of the Kindeys?

Answer 1

They do the major work of the Urinary system.

Regulation of blood PH, Volume, Pressure, Regulation of blood glucose, Production of hormones.

Question 2

What Kidney is slightly lower than the other?

Answer 2

The right one is slightly lower than the left one.

This is because the Liver takes up space on the right side of the body.

Question 3

What spinal segments are the kidneys located near?

Answer 3

They are located near T12-L3.

Question 4

What is the External anatomy of the Kidneys?

Answer 4

They’re 3 layers that surround the kidneys.

Deep (Renal), middle (Adipose capsule)and superficial (Renal Fascia).

Question 5

What is the Deep layer of the External Kidney?

Answer 5

“Renal Capsule” acts as a CT layer that protects the kidney from trauma and helps maintain the shape of the Organ.

Question 6

What is the Middle layer of the External Kidney?

Answer 6

Fatty tissue that surrounds the “Renal Capsule”.

Helps protect the kidney from trauma and Helps hold it in place in the abdominal cavity.

Question 7

What is the Superficial layer of the External kidney?

Answer 7

Thin layer of dense connective tissue that anchors the kidneys to the surrounding structures and to the abdominal wall.

Question 8

What are the 2 distinct regions of the internal kidneys?

Answer 8

A superficial light red “Renal Cortex” and a Deep Darker reddish brown inner region called the “Renal Medulla”.

Question 9

What does the “Renal Cortex” consist of?

Answer 9

…

Question 10

What are “Renal Columns”?

Answer 10

These are parts of the Renal Cortex that reach through the Renal Pyramids.

Question 11

What are “Renal Columns”?

Answer 11

These are parts of the Renal Cortex that reach through the Renal Pyramids.

Question 12

What is a “Renal Lobe”?

Answer 12

It consist of a “Renal Pyramid”, its overlaying area of the “Renal cortex”, and 1/2 of each adjacent Renal column.

Question 13

What makes up the functional portion of the Kidney?

Answer 13

“Renal Cortex” and “Renal Pyramids” of the Renal medulla make up the “Parenchyma”.

Question 14

What does the “Parenchyma” of the Kidney consist of?

Answer 14

The Parenchyma consist of about 1 million microscopic structures called “Nephrons”.
Filtrate formed by the Nephrons drains into a large “Papillary Duct”.

Question 15

What do Papillary Ducts drain into?

Answer 15

They drain into structures called “Minor / major Calyces”.

Each kidney has 8-10 minor Calyces and 2-3 Major.

Question 16

What happens once Filtrate enters the Calyces?

Answer 16

It becomes Urine because no reabsorption occurs.

Question 17

From the Major Calyces where does Urine drain?

Answer 17

Into a single large cavity called “The Renal Pelvis”, then out to the Ureter and out to the Urinary Bladder.

Question 18

What is involved with the Blood and nerve supply to the Kidneys?

Answer 18

Kidneys receive about 20-25% of the resting cardiac output via the Right and Left Renal Arteries and are Drained of blood via Renal Veins.

Question 19

What are “Renal Nn’s” apart of?

Answer 19

They are apart of the Sympathetic division of the Autonomic nervous system.