Intro and Anatomy Flashcards
True or False:
They kidneys are covered in peritoneum
False
They are retroperitoneal
Where are the kidneys located?
Posterior abdomen
What spinal levels do the kidneys typically extend from/to?
From T12-L3
Why is the right kidney often situated lower?
Due to presence of the liver
How many vertebrae long is each kidney (typically)?
3 vertebrae
Which part of the kidney is connected to the ureter?
Renal pelvis
The kidneys are encased in layers of fascia and fat. How are these arranged from deep to superficial?
- Renal capsule (tough fibrous capsule)
- Perirenal fat
- Renal fascia
- Pararenal fat (located on posterolateral aspect of kidney)
What are the functions of the kidney?
1) Control concentration of substances in ECF
2) Excretion of waste products
3) Synthesis of renin, erythropoietin, prostaglandins
4) Metabolism: active form of vitamin D, catabolism of inslin, PTH calcitonin
How much water does an average 70 kg male contain?
42 L
How much of the total water contained in a 70kg male is ICF?
28 L
How much of the total water contained in a 70kg male is ECF?
14 L
How much of the ECF (14L) contained in a 70kg male is interstitial fluid?
11 L
How much of the ECF (14L) contained in a 70kg male is plasma?
3 L
What two main areas can the internal renal parenchyma be divided into?
Medulla and cortex
The cortex extends into the medulla, dividing it into triangular shapes. What are these known as?
Renal pyramids
What is a renal lobe?
Portion of a kidney consisting of a renal pyramid and the cortex above it
What is the apex of each renal pyramid which projects into a calyx called?
Papilla
Where does urine formed in the kidney pass through to get to the bladder?
Through renal papilla Into minor calyx Two or three minor calyces converge to form major calyx From major calyx into renal pelvis Into ureter Into bladder
What passes through the renal hilum?
Renal artery, renal vein, ureter
What artery supplies the kidney and what is this a branch of?
Renal artery - branch of abdominal aorta
Why is the right renal artery longer?
Due to the anatomical position of the abdominal aorta which is slightly to the left of the midline
What does the right renal artery cross posteriorly?
Vena cava
What does the renal artery enter the kidney via?
Renal hilum
When each renal artery enters the kidney, what does it divide into?
Segmental arteries
What does each segmental artery divide into?
Interlobar arteries - situiated either side of every renal pyramid
What do the interlobar arteries divide into?
Arcuate arteries
What arteries arise at 90 degrees to the arcuate arteries?
Interlobular arteries
After the interlobular arteries pass through the cortex, what do they divide into?
Afferent arterioles
What do the afferent arterioles form?
A capillary network - the glomerulus
What are the long, straight arteries that supply the inner third of the cortex and medulla called?
Vasa recta
What are peritubular capillaries?
Formed by the efferent arterioles - supply nephron tubules with oxyen and nutrients
Why is the left renal vein longer?
Vena cava lies slightly to the right
Where does lymph from the kidney drain?
Lateral aortic nodes
Where does filtering occur?
Glomerulus
What are the parts of the nephron?
Glomerulus, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of henle, distal convoluted tubule, collecting duct
Is the proximal convoluted tubule in the medulla or cortex?
Cortex
Is the loop of henle in the medulla or cortex?
Dips into and out of medulla
Is the distal convoluted tubule in the cortex or medulla?
Cortex
Where does the collecting duct travel?
Passes through medulla to renal pelvis
Where is the main site of sodium and water reabsorption?
PCT (60-70%)
Where is the main site of potassium reabsorption?
PCT (80-90%)
Where is the main site of bicarbonate reabsorption?
PCT (90%)
Where are glucose and amino acids normally all reabsorbed?
PCT
What is the major function of the loop of henle?
Create a gradient of increasing osmolarity in the medulla by counter-current multiplication which allows formation of concentrated urine if water has to be conserved
Is the fluid leaving the loop of henle hypotonic, hypertonic or isotonic?
Hypotonic
Where does the active secretion of hydrogen ions occur?
DCT
What is the collecting duct responsive to?
ADH
