Gross Anatomy Flashcards
Where are the kidneys located?
Posterior abdominal wall at the level of T12-L3. They are retroperitoneal. The left is slightly more superior
What is the name of the structure through which the renal vessels, nerves and pelvis enter and exit the kidney?
The hilum
What are the three layers of supportive tissue which cover each kidney?
Renal capsule
Adipose capsule
Renal fascia
Where on the kidneys does the renal cortex exist and what structures does it contain?
It is the dark outer 1cm of the kidney that contains the acruate and interlobular arteries and veins and cortical nephrons
What are the renal columns?
Extensions of the renal cortex that project between the pyramids of the medulla and help anchor the cortex
Where in the kidney does the renal medulla exist and what structures does it contain?
The renal medulla is the inner section if the kidney, deep to the cortex. It contains the tubular segments of the juxtamedullary nephrons
Where are the tubules of the juxtamedullary nephrons, parts of the loop of Henle and collecting ducts of the cortical nephrons contained?
The renal pyramids
Describe the drainage system of the kidneys from renal pyramid to the ureters.
Renal pyramid to minor calyces to major calyces to renal pelvis to ureter
What are the renal papillae?
The tips of the renal pyramids that protrude into the minor calyces
How many major calyces are there in each kidney?
Two or three
From which vessel do the renal arteries arise?
The abdominal aorta
Describe the branching system of the kidneys from renal arteries to glomerulus.
Renal arteries branch to segmental arteries branch to interlobar arteries branch to arcuate arteries branch to interlobular arteries branch to afferent arterioles branch to glomerular capillary network
Unlike most organs, once the blood from the arteries has reached the capillary network of the glomerulus the capillary network does not drain into venules. What happens instead?
The glomerulus branches into an efferent arteriole which branches to form the peritubular capillaries where reabsorption takes place and these capillaries eventually branch into the interlobular veins
Into which vessel do the renal veins drain?
The inferior vena cava
Where do the renal nerves originate from?
The renal ganglion
