Gross Anatomy of the Urinary Sytem Flashcards
What makes up the urinary system?
Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra
What is the function of the urinary system?
Removes metabolic waste from blood via filtration and excretion
Regulates plasma electrolytes and blood pressure
Helps stabilise pH
Reabsorption of small molecules
Produces erythropoietin (a stimulant of RBC production by bone marrow)
Where are the Kidneys found ?
T12-L3
Right kidney are slightly lower than left kidney
Where are the three sites of ureter constriction?
Where ureter passes over inferior renal pole (abdominal part)
Where ureter crosses over external iliac (pelvic part)
Where ureter transverses the bladder wall (intramural part)
What does the renal hilum contain?
Vein, artery, pelvis
Where do renal veins drain?
IVC
Where do renal arteries originate?
Abdominal Aorta
What lymph nodes drain the kidney?
Lateral aortic lymph nodes
What nerves innervate the kidney?
Renal plexus T10-L1 (SYMPATHETIC), T11-L2 (SENSORY AFFERENT)
Where does the median umbilical ligament originate from?
Embryonic Urachus
Where do the two medial umbilical folds of the urinary bladder originate from?
Occluded umbilical artery
Where do the two lateral folds of the urinary bladder originate from?
Inferior epigastric vessels
Which nerve constricts the detrusor muscle during micturition?
Parasympathetic Pudendal Nerve
Which nerve constricts internal urethral sphincter during ejaculation?
Sympathetic Pelvic Splanchnic Nerve
Which is the narrowest part of the urethra in male?
Membranous part
Which vertebral level does the transpyloric plane pass through?
L1
What makes up the nephron?
Renal Corpuscles and Renal Tubules
What makes up the renal corpuscles ?
Glomerulus and bowmens capsules
What makes up the urineferous tubule?
Nephron and collecting duct
What is the function of the nephron?
Returns purified blood to the renal veins
Why are sites of ureter constriction clinically significant?
They are common sites for kidney stones
What is the function of the papilla within the kidneys?
To transport urine to minor calyx via collecting ducts
What happens to the bladder during a uterine prolapse?
Since uterus is connected to bladder, when it prolapses, the posterior wall of the bladder is pulled down
What surface of the bladder is peritonised?
The superior surface
Why is the pouch of Douglas clinically significant?
It is a common site of infection - to test site, insert needle through vaginal wall and send off collection for cytological testing
What does the prostatic part of the urethra contain?
The vas deferens
What is protein in urine indicative of?
Kidney failure
What is the function of the kidneys?
Maintains homeostasis by blood filtration
What is the function of the ureter?
Carries urine to bladder
What is the function of the bladder
To store urine
What is the function of the urethra?
Allows urine to pass out of the body
What are the four layers of the kidney?
Fibrous renal capsule, fatty renal capsule, renal fascia and pararenal fatty tissue
What other GI structures come into contact with the right kidney?
Suprarenal gland, liver, duodenum, ascending colon, jejunum
What other GI structures come into contact with the left kidney?
Suprarenal gland, stomach, spleen, pancreas, jejunum, descending colon
Where does abdominal aorta branch into renal arteries?
L1/2
Where do ureters enter the bladder?
Fundus of bladder
Where does urethra exit the bladder?
Neck of bladder
What kind of epithelium makes up the urinary bladder?
TRANSITIONAL EPITHELIUM
What is the advantage of having transitional epithelium lining the bladder?
It allows the organ to stretch depending on the fluid volume
