Kidney Flashcards
In what region are the kidneys located?
Retroperitoneal
Gerota’s Fascia
Fibrous sheath surrounding kidneys, perinephric fat, & adrenals
Renal hilum
“Door of the kidney;” where renal artery, vein, lymphatic vessels, & ureter enter the kidney
Normal size of renal cortex
> 1.5 cm
Cortex
Darker area of kidney
Medulla
Contains the renal pyramids
Columns of Bertin
Area of cortex between renal pyramids
Avg. size of kidney
10-12 cm
Which renal vein is longer?
Left renal vein is longer since IVC is on the right side of body
Which renal artery is longer? Why?
Right renal artery is longer since aorta is on the left side of body
Flow towards kidney
Aorta → Renal artery → Interlobular Arteries → Arcuate Arteries → Interlobular Arteries → Glomerulus
Flow from Kidney
Efferent Arterioles → Peritubular Capillaries → Interlobar Veins → Arcuate Veins → Interlobar Veins → Renal Vein → IVC
Functions of the Kidney
- Dispose of waste through urine
- Main blood pressure through fluid regulation
- Regulate acid/base/electrolytes
2 Hormones of renal function
Aldosterone & ADH
Hypertrophied Column of Bertin
Variant, larger than normal cortical tissue
Dromedary Hump
Variant, bulge in capsule of left kidney due to compression by spleen
Bilateral Renal Agenesis
Absence of both kidneys, fatal
Unilateral Renal Agenesis
Absence of one kidney
Supernumery Kidney
Variant, duplicated kidney
Pelvic Kidney
Variant due to failure of kidney to ascend
What is the most common ectopic kidney?
Pelvic Kidney
Crossed Fused Renal Ectopia
Both kidneys on the same side & fused
Thoracic Kidney
Kidney in thorax due to diaphragmatic hernia in utero
Horseshoe Kidney
Fusion of kidneys at lower poles
What is the most common fusion of kidneys?
Horseshoe kidney
Cake/lump kidney
Fusion of kidney in medial surface