Introduction and Gross Anatomy & Histology Flashcards
At what vertebral level do the kidneys lie?
L1/L2
How are the kidneys peritonised?
Retroperitoneal (only partially)
What is the square muscle of the back that runs posterior to the kidneys from the iliac crest to the 12th rib?
Quadratus lumborum
What are the three muscles that run posterior to the kidneys?
Diaphragm
Psoas
Quadratus lumborum
Which of the kidneys is lower? Why?
The right
The liver mass
What is the subcostal nerve?
A nerve below the 12th rib on either side. It is orientated like an intercostal nerve but is not within costal muscle
What is the most posterior surface in the hilum of the kidney?
The ureter
From outer to inner, what are the four layers of the outer kidney area?
Paranephric fat
Renal fascia
Perinephric fat
Capsule
What are the different parts of the surface of the kidney?
On the front there is the superior portion, then the anterior superior, then the anterior inferior and the inferior
On the back the pattern is the same expect instead of the anterior superior and anterior inferior this is one section called the posterior section
Where are the collecting ducts an glomerular apparatus located in the kidney?
In the cortex
What is the medulla?
Everything inwards of the cortex
What is the cortex?
The smooth outer layer of the kidney where the glomerular apparatus are found
What is a papilla?
The location where the renal pyramid empties into the minor calyx
What is a pyramid?
The renal pyramids are the terminals of the kidneys and are formed by the straight parallel sections of the nephrons and collecting ducts. There are usually 7 per kidney
What is the sinus?
The cavity within the kidney that is occupied by the pelvis, calyces, fat, nerves and vessels
What is the pelvis of the kidney?
The point of convergence of several major calyces
By what name are each of the functional units of the kidney known?
Renal lobe
What is a major calyx?
Larger urine carrying chambers, the confluence of several minor calyces
What is a minor calyx?
The chamber into which each medullary pyramid drains. They continue into major calyces (few in number) towards the pelvis of the kidney
What is a renal column?
A medullary extension of the cortex between the medullary pyramids, serving to better anchor the cortex
Into how many branches does each renal artery split? What are these branches?
5
Accurate branches pass around the circumference and split into
Interlobar branches which split into
Interlobular branches which ultimately supply each nephron
What is a unique characteristic of the visual appearance of the kidney histologically? Why does it appear this way?
The surface appears very spotted. This is because there are so many looped vessels in the tissue that many are cut transversely when sampled, and therefore seen straight-on, giving the spotted appearance
What tissue lines the inner of the ureter and the bladder wall?
Urothelium
Where are some places points of constriction where kidney stones may commonly become stuck?
The ureteropelvic junction
As they pass under the gonadal vessels
Where the ureter traverses the iliac vessels or bladder wall (common iliac lies on top of ureter briefly)
What type of tissue makes up the smooth wall of the bladder? What is this specific muscle called?
Smooth muscle
Detrusor
What is the function of the rugae of the bladder wall?
They disappear as the bladder expands, allowing it to increase in size whilst taking up a small space when empty
What are some common genetic abnormalities relating to the kidney?
Horseshoe kidney
Bifid ureters
Pelvic kidneys
What is the normal capacity of the bladder?
500ml
What is name of the portion of bladder wall which has no rugae?
What is its function?
The trigone
To allow the bladder to drain
What is the anterior most point of the bladder called?
The apex
What is the name of the opening in the bladder into the urethra?
Internal urethral orifice
What is the urethra called before it passes though the prostate?
The preprostatic urethra
What is the urethra called as it passes through the urethra?
The prostatic urethra
What is the urethra called as it passes through the perineal membrane?
The membranous urethra
What is the urethra called as is passes through the penis?
The spongy urethra
