Kidney

Question 1

What are the functions of the kidney?

Answer 1

remove water, salts, and products of protein metabolism from the blood

Question 2

What is the shape and position of the kidney?

Answer 2

bean-shaped; retroperitoneal from T12 to L3

Question 3

What are the relative orientations of the kidneys?

Answer 3

the right kidney lies slightly lower than the left due to the large size of the right lobe of the liver

Question 4

What muscle lies posterior to the kidney?

Answer 4

psoas major

Question 5

What lies medial to the kidney?

Answer 5

the vertebral column

Question 6

What is sometimes mistaken for kidney pain?

Answer 6

a strained psoas major

Question 7

What is the posterior-most organ of the abdomen?

Answer 7

kidney

Question 8

Name the surfaces of the kidney.

Answer 8

anterior & posterior

Question 9

Name the boarders of the kidney.

Answer 9

medial & lateral

Question 10

Name the poles of the kidney.

Answer 10

superior & inferior

Question 11

What is the hilum of the kidney?

Answer 11

a vertical fissure on the medial surface of the kidney

Question 12

What structures are transmitted by the hilum of the kidney?

Answer 12

renal v. (ant), renal a. (btw v. and ureter), ureter (post), and autonomic and sensory nerves

Question 13

What is the expanded superior end of the ureter within the hilum of the kidney?

Answer 13

renal pelvis

Question 14

What is the recess located within the hilum, which is filled with fat?

Answer 14

renal sinus

Question 15

What are the structures which enter the hilum (collectively)?

Answer 15

renal pedicle

Question 16

What is the renal cortex?

Answer 16

the outer portion of the kidney

Question 17

What are the renal columns?

Answer 17

projections of the cortex into the medulla between the renal pyramids

Question 18

What is the renal medulla?

Answer 18

the inner portion of the kidney including 8 to 12 renal pyramids

Question 19

What is a renal pyramid?

Answer 19

termination of the renal medulla in an apex known as the renal papilla

Question 20

What are minor calices?

Answer 20

cup-shaped structures into which the renal papillae fit

Question 21

What are major calices?

Answer 21

2-3 major channels into which the minor calices empty; they empty into the renal pelvis

Question 22

Where does the renal artery originate?

Answer 22

abdominal aorta

Question 23

What are extrahilar arteries?

Answer 23

accessory arteries which may originate from the abdominal aorta above or below the renal artery

Question 24

Where does the renal vein drain?

Answer 24

inferior vena cava

Question 25

What does the left renal vain drain?

Answer 25

left kidney, suprarenal gland, gonad, diaphragm, and body wall

Question 26

The left renal vein and third part of the duodenum may be compressed between what two structures in an "anatomical nutcracker?"

Answer 26

aorta (post) and superior mesenteric a. (ant)

Question 27

What are possible resulting conditions of the "anatomical nutcracker?"

Answer 27

left side kidney failure & vomiting

Question 28

What are the causes of the "anatomical nutcracker?"

Answer 28

compressive abdominal trauma, application of a body cast (cast syndrome), and aortic aneurysm

Question 29

What are the functions of fat around the kidney?

Answer 29

protection, insulation, and support

Question 30

The renal plexus is formed by fibers from which contributing nerve bundles?

Answer 30

celiac plexus, aortic plexus, direct branches from the thoracic and lumbar splanchnic nerves (mainly the Least Splanchnic n. (T12)

Question 31

What are the layers covering the kidney, starting with the most suberficial?

Answer 31

Paranephric fat, renal fascia, perinephric fat, renal capsule

Question 32

Define renal fascia.

Answer 32

a membranous layer of extraperitoneal tissue which splits to enclose the kidney

Question 33

What substances can form kidney stones?

Answer 33

calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid (gout)

Question 34

What symptoms are present with kidney stones?

Answer 34

a dull ache in the kidney with more severe pain as the stone enters the ureter

Question 35

What are the risk factors for developing kidney stones?

Answer 35

male, low fluid intake, southeastern USA

Question 36

How many constrictions of the ureter may house a kidney stone?

Answer 36

one of three; this restricts urinary flow

Question 37

What may be used to break up kidney stones from outside the body?

Answer 37

Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

Question 38

What is another name for "floating kidney"?

Answer 38

nephroptosis

Question 39

Who is most at risk for nephroptosis?

Answer 39

very thin people (Supermodel disease)

Question 40

What can happen with Nephroptosis?

Answer 40

hypermobile kidney moves downward within the renal fascia; may descend into pelvis; may turn upside-down, twisting vessels and the ureter