Intro, Gross Anatomy and Histology Flashcards
What structures make up the urinary system?
Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra
Why is the urinary system important?
It removes metabolic waste, regulates plasma electrolytes and blood pressure, helps to stabilise pH, reabsorbs small molecules (amino acids, glucose and peptides) and produces erythropoietin (stimulates RBC production)
How are the kidneys peritonised?
Retroperitoneal
At what level do the kidneys lie?
T12-L3
Which kidney lies lower and why?
Right: due to the position of the liver
Are kidney surgeries normally done from the anterior or the posterior?
Posterior
Which nerves lie posterior to the kidneys and could be damaged during surgery?
Subcostal, iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal
What structures surround the kidneys (from inside to out)?
Renal capsule > perirenal fat > renal fascia > pararenal fat
What structures make up the internal structure of the kidneys (from cortex to ureter)
Medulla > pyramid > papilla > minor calyx > major calyx > pelvis > ureter
What is the 1st constriction of the ureter
When the ureter passes over the inferior renal pole
What is the 2nd constriction of the ureter?
When the ureter crosses over the external iliac vessels
What is the 3rd constriction of the ureter?
Ureter transverses the bladder wall
Which arteries supply the ureter?
Renal, ovarian/testicular and abdominal aorta
Which veins drain the ureter?
Renal and ovarian/testicular veins
Which structures enter the hilum of the kidney from anterior to posterior?
Vein > Artery > Pelvis
Which arteries supply the kidneys?
Renal arteries which split into five branches which supply the segments of the kidneys
What are the five segments of the kidneys?
Apical, anterosuperior, anteroinferior, posterior and inferior
What is the venous drainage of the kidneys?
Renal veins (1 on each side) which drain into the IVC
What is the lymphatic drainage of the kidneys?
Lateral aortic lymph nodes
What is the nerve supply to the kidneys?
Renal plexus:
Sympathetic - T10-L1
Sensory Afferent - T11-L2
What embryological structure is the median umbilical ligament a remnant of?
Urachus
What embryological structure are the medial umbilical folds a remnant of?
Occluded umbilical artery
What embryological structure are the two lateral umbilical folds a remnant of?
Inferior epigastric vessels
Which sphincter controls the release of urine from the urethra?
External urethral sphincter
What are the parts of the male urethra?
Preprostatic, prostatic, intermediate/ membranous and spongy/penile
Which part of the male urethra is the longest?
Spongy/penile
Which nerve supplies the voluntary control of the sphincter urethrae?
Pudendal nerve
Which part of the mal urethra does the vas deferens open into?
Prostatic
Which type of nerve fibres constrict the detrusor muscle during micturition (urination)?
Parasympathetic fibres
Which type of nerve fibres constrict the internal urethral sphincter during ejaculaton?
Sympathetic fibres
Which is the narrowest part of the urethra in a male?
Membranous
Which vertebral level does the transpyloric plane run through?
L1
Which structures make up a nephron?
Renal corpuscle + renal tubules
Which structures make up a renal corpuscle?
Glomerulus + bowmen’s capsule
Which structures make up a uniferous tubule?
Nephron + collecting duct
What features of the cortex of the kidney that can be seen in histology?
Renal corpuscles, proximal/distal convoluted tubules (cuboidal) and collecting tubule
What features of the medulla of the kidney can be seen in the histology?
Proximal/distal convoluted tubules, loop of Henle (squamous epithelium) and the collecting tubule
What features of the ureter can be seen in the histology?
Transitional epithelium, star shaped lumen, inner longitudinal smooth muscle and outer circular smooth muscle
What features of the bladder can be seen in the histology?
Transitional epithelium, inner longitudinal smooth muscle, middle circular smooth muscle and outer longitudinal
