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Renal Anatomy > Kidney > Flashcards

Kidney Flashcards

1
Q

Where is the kidney located?

A

Retroperitoneally in the abdominal cavity against the posterior abdominal wall

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2
Q

Where does the left kidney lie?

A

T12 to L3

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3
Q

Where does the right kidney lie and why?

A

Slightly lower than left kidney due to position of liver

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4
Q

What lies superiorly to the kidneys?

A

Adrenal glands

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5
Q

What are the 4 layers of connective tissue surrounding the kidneys?

A
  1. Renal capsule
  2. Perirenal fat
  3. Renal fascia
  4. Pararenal fat

From deep to superficial

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6
Q

What is the clinical significance of fascial coverings?

A

TNM classification for renal cell carcinoma

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7
Q

What does the parenchyma contain?

A

Cortex -> Renal Column -> Renal pyramid
Medulla -> Renal pyramid -> Base + Renal papilla

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8
Q

What does 1 lobe of kidney contain?

A

1 pyramid and overlying cortex

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9
Q

Name the functional unit

A

Nephron

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10
Q

What are the 2 components of the nephron?

A
  1. Renal corpuscle
  2. Renal tubule
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11
Q

What does the renal corpuscle contain?

A

Glomerulus, glomerular capsule (Bowman’s capsule)

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12
Q

Bowman’s space is continuous with the ____ of renal tubule at the tubular pole

A

Bowman’s space is continuous with the lumen of renal tubule at the tubular pole

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13
Q

What are the layers of the Bowman’s capsule?

A

Parietal and Visceral layer

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14
Q

What does the parietal layer of the Bowman’s capsule contain?

A
  • Basement membrane
  • Squamous epithelium
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15
Q

What does the visceral layer of the Bowman’s capsule contain?

A
  • Podocytes
  • Basement membrane
  • Squamous epithelium
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16
Q

What is the 3-layer filtration membrane of the renal corpuscle?

A
  1. Filtration pores of capillary
  2. Basement membrane
  3. Filtration silt (final barrier to proteins)
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17
Q

Outline the filtration flow chart in the renal corpuscle

A

Plasma > Filtration pores of capillary > Basement membrane > Filtration silt > Capsular space > PCT

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18
Q

What does the renal tubule contain?

A
  • PCT
  • Nephrone loop/Loop of Henle
  • DCT
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19
Q

What are the cells of PCT?

A

Simple cuboidal epithelial cells with brush border

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20
Q

What is the main function of PCT?

A

Reabsorption from renal tubule to peritubular capillaries
- 65% filtered H2O
- Na+, K+, Mg2+, Cl-, PO4 3-
- 100% glucose, amino acids, plasma protein

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21
Q

Function of thin descending limb of Loop of Henle

A

Water reabsorbtion

Has squamous cells

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22
Q

Function of thick descending limb of Loop of Henle

A

Secrete solutes into interstitium via active transport

Has squamous cells

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23
Q

What are the cells of DCT?

A

Cuboidal epithelium, no brush border

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24
Q

What is the main function of DCT?

A

Secretion of substances from peritubular capillaries into renal tubule
- K+, H+, HCO3-
- Toxins (urea, uric acid, drugs)

25
What hormone works at DCT?
Aldosterone - Enhance Na+ reabsorption from DCT - Promotes H2O retention - Increase blood volume and pressure
26
What hormone works at the collecting duct?
Antidiuretic hormone - Increase H2O retention by principal cells - Prevent dehydration
27
What are the 3 functions of the collecting duct?
1. Absorption of H2O and Na+ 2. Regulate acid-base balance 3. Drain urine from renal papilla into minor calyx
28
What are the 2 types of cuboidal cells in the collecting duct?
1. Principal cells 2. Intercalated cells
29
Collecting ducts from multiple nephrones converge to form ____ ducts and then the renal ____
Collecting ducts from multiple nephrones converge to form **papillary** ducts and then the renal **papilla**
30
Structures of hilum from anterior to posterior
- Renal **V**ein - Renal **A**rtery (first and second branches) - **U**reter - Renal **A**rtery (third branch)
31
What are the other structures that passes through the hilum?
- Lymphatic vessels - Sympathetic nerves
32
# **Renal Pyramids** Renal ____ extends into renal ____ , dividing it into triangular-shaped renal pyramids
Renal **cortex** extends into renal **medulla**, dividing it into triangular-shaped renal pyramids
33
What is the apex of the renal pyramid called?
Renal papilla
34
Describe the flow of urine
Renal pyramids -> Renal papilla -> Minor Calyx -> Major Calyx -> Renal pelvis -> Ureter
35
Function of minor calyx
Collects urine from renal pyramids
36
What does the renal arteries arise from?
Directly from abdominal aorta (L2), immediately distal to origin of superior mesenteric artery (L1)
37
Right or left renal artery longer?
Right
38
Where does the right renal artery cross?
Posterior to inferior vena cava
39
Where does the renal vein leave?
Leaves the renal hilum anterior to renal arteries, just below origin of superior mesenteric artery (L1)
40
Where does renal vein drain into?
Directly into inferior vena cava
41
Right or left renal vein longer?
Left
42
Where does left renal vein cross?
Anterior to abdominal aorta
43
Left ____ vein and left ____ vein drains to left renal vein -> IVC
Left **suprarenal** vein and left **gonadal** vein drains to left renal vein -> IVC
44
Right ____ vein and right ____ vein drains directly into ____
Right **suprarenal** vein and right **gonadal** vein drains directly into **IVC**
45
What happens in varicocele?
Veins of the pampiniform plexus are elongated and dilated
46
Which side does varicocele occur most commonly at?
Left side as left testicular vein joins left renal vein which has higher venous pressure
47
What are the 2 divisions that the renal artery divides into at the renal hilum?
1. Anterior - 75% of blood supply 2. Posterior - 25% of blood supply
48
What are the 5 segmental branches of the renal artery?
1. Apical 2. Anterior superior 3. Anterior inferior (middle) 4. Inferior 5. Posterior segmental
49
Are renal artery branches anatomical end arteries?
Yes
50
Outline the renal portal system
Afferent arteriole > Glomerulus > Efferent Arteriole > Peritubular capillaries > Venule
51
What is the triangle zone of JGA formed by?
DCT, afferent and efferent arteriole
52
What are the 3 types of cells in JGA?
1. Macula densa 2. Juxtaglomerular cells 3. Mesangial cells
53
Where is the Macula Densa cells located?
Initial portion of DCT in between afferent and efferent arterioles
54
Function of macula densa cells
Na+ sensor and induces JG cells to produce renin
55
Function of juxtaglomerular cells
Dilate or constrict arterioles
56
Function of mesangial cells
Regulate blood flow through glomerulus
57
What does renal pain presents as?
Flank pain that radiates to the lower abdomen
58
What does renal pain result from?
- Stretching of kidney capsule - Spasm of smooth muscle in the renal pelvis
59
How does the renal pain come about? (Spinal cord)
Afferent nerve fibers pass through renal plexus around renal artery and ascend to spinal cord through **least splanchnic nerve** in thorax (T12) and **sympathetic trunk** > Enter spinal cord at **T12** Pain is referred along distribution of **subcostal nerve (T12)** to the flank and anterior abdominal wall

Renal Anatomy (3 decks)

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