Kidney anatomy Flashcards
Where are the kidneys located?
Retroperitoneal (behind peritoneum)
Either side of vertebral column
What’s the main function of the kidneys?
Filter and excrete waste products from the blood
Maintenance of water and electrolyte balance in the body
How is urine transported from kidneys to bladder?
By ureters
How does urine leave the body?
Via urethra from bladder
What level is the left kidney at?
T11 - L2
What level is the right kidney at?
T12 - L3
Why is the right kidney lower than the left?
Due to liver
The kidneys are encased in complex layers of fascia and fat.
Describe how they are arranged (deep to superficial)
Kidney Renal capsule Perirenal fat Renal fascia Pararenal fat
Describe each layer of fat and fascia surrounding the kidney.
Renal capsule - tough fibrous capsule
Perirenal fat - extraperitoneal fat
Renal fascia - Encloses kidneys and suprarenal glands
Pararenal fat - mainly on posterolateral side
What is the name of the apex of a renal pyramid?
Renal papilla
Name the region of the kidney that collects urine from the pyramids.
Minor renal calyx
What is a major calyx?
Merging of several minor calices
Describe the journey of urine from the pyramids to the ureter.
Pyramid Minor calyx Major calyx Renal pelvis Ureter
Name the structure where the renal vessels and ureter enter/exit the kidney.
Real hilum
What is the blood supply to the kidney?
Renal arteries that arise directly from the abdominal aorta
Which is longer: the right or left renal artery? Why?
Right is longer due to the aorta being positioned slightly to the left of the midline
Describe the divisions of the renal artery as it enters the kidney.
Renal artery > segmental branches > Interlobar branches > Arcuate arteries > Interlobular arteries > afferent arterioles > Capillaries
What’s the name for the network of capillaries that form from the afferent arterioles?
Glomerus
Where are the efferent arterioles formed?
Where the capillaries of the glomerus fuse together
Describe venous drainage of blood from the nephron of kidney to the renal vein.
Nephron > interlobular veins > Arcuate veins > Interlobar veins > renal vein (about 5-6 interlobulars)
Where are nephrons found?
In the cortex and medulla area
Name the two types of nephron.
Cortical and Juxtamedullary
What is the difference between the cortical and juxtamedullary nephron?
Cortical:
- short nephron loop
- glomerulus is more in cortex than medulla
- further from corticomedullary junction
- has peritubular capillaries
Juxtamedullary:
- long nephron loop
- glomerulus is more in medulla
- closer to corticomedullary junction
- has vasa recta
Which type of nephron is more numerous?
Cortical
Name the non vascular structures in the nephron from Bowman’s capsule to Collecting duct.
Bowman’s capsule > Proximal convoluted tubule > Descending limb of Henle > loop of Henle > Ascending limb of Henle > Distal convoluted tubule > collecting duct
Name the vascular structures in the nephron from afferent arteriole ->
Afferent arteriole > Glomerus > Efferent artery > vasa recta
