Intro + Gross Anatomy/Histology Flashcards
Name the 4 components of the urinary system
Kidneys
Ureters
Urinary bladder
Urethra
Name 5 functions of the urinary system
- Removes metabolic waste from blood by filtration and excretion (most important)
- Regulates plasma electrolytes + BP (by renin angiotensin mechanism)
- Helps stabilise pH
- Reabsorption of small molecules (amino acids, glucose + peptides)
- Produces EPO
How are the kidneys peritonised?
Retroperitoneal
Between what levels do the kidneys lie at?
T12-L3
Why is the R kidney slightly lower than L kidney?
Liver
(sidenote) What level does the transpyloric plane cross?
L1
Try n name the anterior relations of the kidney
Right: R suprarenal gland, liver, colic flexure, duodenum
Left: L suprarenal gland, stomach, spleen, pancreas, descending colon
What are the posterior relations of the kidney?
Subcostal nerve
Iliohypogastric nerve
Ilioinguinal nerve
(12th rib)
Label the following components of the kidney capsule and fascia
Label the following components of the internal structure of the kidneys
What are the 3 main constrictions of the ureter?
- Abdominal part: ureter passes over inferior renal pole
- Pelvic part: ureter crosses over external iliac vessels
- Intramural part: ureter traverses the bladder wall
(possible 4: ureter passes behind testicular + ovarian vessels)
What is the order of the vessels at the renal hilum - anterior to posterior?
Vein
Artery
Pelvis
(VAP!)
Name the different parts of the kidney
What are the 4 (essentially non-anastomosing) branches of the renal artery?
Segmental branches (x5)
Interlobar
Arcuate branches pass around circumference
Interlobular branches which ultimately supply each nephron
What is the renal artery a branch of?
Abdominal aorta
What is the venous drainage of the kidneys?
Renal veins - 1 on each side which drains 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 does the median umbilical ligament in the urinary bladder arise from?
Embryonic urachus
Where are the 2 median umbilical folds located and where are the 2 lateral umbilical folds?
Medial = occluded umbilical artery
Lateral = inferior epigastric vessels
What nerves control the internal urethral sphincter?
Autonomic nervous system - involuntary
What nerves contol the external urethral sphincter?
Somatic nerves - voluntary
Name the 4 parts of the male urethra
What are the 2 holes in the prostatic part of the male urethra for?
Vas deferens (join with seminal vesicle to form ejaculatory duct)
What is the narrowest part of the male urethra?
Membranous part
What is the most dilated part of the male urethra?
Prostatic part
What is the longest part of the male urethra?
Spongy part
What are the arteries of the urinary bladder?
Branches of the internal iliac artery
What are the veins of the urinary bladder?
Internal iliac veins
What are the lymphatics for the suprapubic and infrapubic parts of the urinary bladder?
Suprapubic: external iliac lymph nodes
Infrapubic: internal iliac lymph nodes
What is the sympathetic nerve supply to the urinary bladder?
T11-L2 (constrict internal urethral sphincter)
What is the parasympathetic nerve supply to the urinary bladder?
S2-S4 (motor to detrusor muscle)
What is the afferent/sensory supply to the urinary bladder?
pain/distention of bladder goes via mainly parasympathetic fibres
What is the somatic nerve supply to the urinary bladder?
Pudendal nerve (external urethral sphincter)
Study this
What is the kidney nephron composed of?
Renal corpuscles
Renal tubules
What are renal corpuscles composed of?
Glomerulus
Bowman’s capsule
What part of the kidney is this?
Cortex
What is found in the kidney cortex (so is seen in histology)?
Renal corpuscles
Proximal convuluted tubules (cuboidal + microvilli)
Distal convuluted tubules (cuboidal)
Collecting tubule/duct (cuboidal)
What part of the kidney is this?
Medulla
What is found in the medulla of the kidneys (and so is seen in histology)?
Proximal convuluted tubules
Distal convuluted tubules
Loop of Henle (thin segment = squamous)
Collecting tubule/duct
What is shown in this histology?
Ureter
What are some characteristics of the ureter histology? What epithelium is found there?
Star-shaped lumen
Inner longitudinal smooth muscle
Outer circular SM
Transitional epithelium
What part of the urinary system is shown?
Bladder
What type of epithelium and muscle is seen in the bladder?
Transitional epithelium
Inner longitudinal smooth muscle
Middle circular smooth muscle
Outer longitudinal smooth muscle
What are 5 common urinary system pathologies?
- UTI
- Glomerulonephritis
- Kidney stone/renal calculi
- Kidney failure and dialysis
- Urinary incontinence
What are 2 important markers for kidney disease?
HIGH protein (albumin) level (urine)/proteinuria
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
(increased level of serum creatinine/urea)
Descibe some common renal developmental anomalies
