Introduction to anatomy/histology of the urinary system Flashcards
What are the main components of the urinary system?
Kidneys
Ureters
Urinary bladder
Urethra
identify the parts of the urinary system
What are the functions of the urinary system?
Removes metabolic waste from blood through filtration and excretions
Regulates plasma electrolytes and blood pressure (RAAS)
Helps stabilize blood pH
Reabsorption of small molecules (AA, Glu, peptides)
Produces erythropoietin (stimulant of RBC prod.)
Describe the anatomical position/orientation of the kidneys
Are they peritonised?
The kidneys lie at the level of T12-L3
The right kidney lies lower than the left
They are retroperitoneal - and are only partially peritonised
Describe the surface anatomy of the kidneys
Crossed over by 12th rib
Superior portion of kidneys lies deep to the diaphragm if youre doing surface anatomy
Shown below is a diagram in which the labels are off the organs related to that area of the kidneys
Please complete the labels
This lovely diagram shows the posterior relations to the kidneys
Please identify the labels
Is there any difference between the left and right kidneys with these relationships?
The left rib sits slightly higher than the right - meaning that it is crossed by both the 11th and 12th ribs - whereas the right rib is only crossed by the 12th
The kidneys are contained in capsules and fascia
What are these?
Identify them if you fancy
Kidneys contained in Renal capsule
Renal capsule surrounded by Perirenal fat
Perirenal fat contained by the Renal fascia
Describe the gross anatomy of the kidneys
The functional substance (parenchyma) of the kidney is divided into two major structures: the outer renal cortex and the inner renal medulla
Grossly, these structures take the shape of 10-18 cone-shaped renal lobes, each containing renal cortex surrounding a portion of medulla called a renal pyramid.
Identify the labels on the diagram of the kidneys
What is the ureter?
ureters are tubes made of smooth muscle fibers that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder
Ureters have constrictions - where are these found?
First constriction (abdominal):
- Where ureter passes over inferior renal pole (abdominal part)
Second constriction (pelvic):
- Where ureter crosses over external iliac vessels (pelvic)
Third constriction (intramural):
- Where the ureter traverses the bladder wall (intramural)
What constriction might be present in ureters?
May be a constriction where ureter passes behind testicular or ovarian vessels
Identify the constrictions of the ureter on the diagram
Describe the structure of the hilum of a kidney
From anterior –> posterior - think VAP
Renal Vein
Renal Artery
Renal Pelvis - start of the ureter, not your actual pelvis
Describe the arterial supply of the kidneys
Primary artery is the Renal artery - branch of Abdominal aorta
Renal artery splits into 5 branches which each supply 1 of the 5 segments of the kidney
What are the different segments of the kidney?
Apical
Anterosuperior
Anteroinferior
Posterior
Inferior
Shown is a diagram of a renal lobe
Identify the labels and describe what the different arteries are
Interlobar** arteries** arises from the segmental artery
Arcuate arteries arise from Interlobar arteries - and pass around the circumference of the renal pyramids
Interlobular** arteries** arise from Arcuate arteries - interlobular arteries end up supplying the nephrons (and are the 2 missing labels in the diagram)
What vein does the renal vein drain into?
What level does it join on?
Inferior vena cava
L1
What group of lymph nodes receives lymph from the kidneys?
Lateral aortic lymph nodes
describe the nerve supply to the kidneys
Renal plexus:
- sympathetic: T10-L1
- Sensory afferent: T11-L2
Shown below is the urinary bladder
1) Identify the labels
2) What embryological structure gives rise to the label in green?
2) Embryonic Urachus
What are the umbilical folds?
Where do they lie in relation to the bladder?
1 Median umbilical fold/ligament
2 Medial umbilical folds on the occluded umbilical artery
2 lateral umbilical folds on the inferior epigastric blood vessels
Identify the structures below eh
Describe the nervous innervation of the urinary bladder
Sympathetic:
- Hypogastric nerve (T12 – L2)
- Stimulation causes relaxation of the detrusor muscle, promoting urine retention
Parasympathetic:
- Pelvic nerve (S2-S4)
- Increased signals from this nerve causes contraction of the detrusor muscle, stimulating micturition
Somatic:
- Pudendal nerve (S2-S4)
- Innervates the external urethral sphincter, providing voluntary control over micturition.
Sensory (afferent) nerves found in bladder wall
Identify the labels
cba writing questions just learn these
