Kidney anatomy

Question 1

Where are the kidneys located?

Answer 1

Retroperitoneal (behind peritoneum)

Either side of vertebral column

Question 2

What’s the main function of the kidneys?

Answer 2

Filter and excrete waste products from the blood

Maintenance of water and electrolyte balance in the body

Question 3

How is urine transported from kidneys to bladder?

Answer 3

By ureters

Question 4

How does urine leave the body?

Answer 4

Via urethra from bladder

Question 5

What level is the left kidney at?

Answer 5

T11 - L2

Question 6

What level is the right kidney at?

Answer 6

T12 - L3

Question 7

Why is the right kidney lower than the left?

Answer 7

Due to liver

Question 8

The kidneys are encased in complex layers of fascia and fat.

Describe how they are arranged (deep to superficial)

Answer 8

Kidney
Renal capsule
Perirenal fat
Renal fascia
Pararenal fat

Question 9

Describe each layer of fat and fascia surrounding the kidney.

Answer 9

Renal capsule - tough fibrous capsule

Perirenal fat - extraperitoneal fat

Renal fascia - Encloses kidneys and suprarenal glands

Pararenal fat - mainly on posterolateral side

Question 10

What is the name of the apex of a renal pyramid?

Answer 10

Renal papilla

Question 11

Name the region of the kidney that collects urine from the pyramids.

Answer 11

Minor renal calyx

Question 12

What is a major calyx?

Answer 12

Merging of several minor calices

Question 13

Describe the journey of urine from the pyramids to the ureter.

Answer 13

Pyramid
Minor calyx
Major calyx
Renal pelvis
Ureter

Question 14

Name the structure where the renal vessels and ureter enter/exit the kidney.

Answer 14

Real hilum

Question 15

What is the blood supply to the kidney?

Answer 15

Renal arteries that arise directly from the abdominal aorta

Question 16

Which is longer: the right or left renal artery? Why?

Answer 16

Right is longer due to the aorta being positioned slightly to the left of the midline

Question 17

Describe the divisions of the renal artery as it enters the kidney.

Answer 17

Renal artery > segmental branches > Interlobar branches > Arcuate arteries > Interlobular arteries > afferent arterioles > Capillaries

Question 18

What’s the name for the network of capillaries that form from the afferent arterioles?

Answer 18

Glomerus

Question 19

Where are the efferent arterioles formed?

Answer 19

Where the capillaries of the glomerus fuse together

Question 20

Describe venous drainage of blood from the nephron of kidney to the renal vein.

Answer 20

Nephron > interlobular veins > Arcuate veins > Interlobar veins > renal vein (about 5-6 interlobulars)

Question 21

Where are nephrons found?

Answer 21

In the cortex and medulla area

Question 22

Name the two types of nephron.

Answer 22

Cortical and Juxtamedullary

Question 23

What is the difference between the cortical and juxtamedullary nephron?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Which type of nephron is more numerous?

Answer 24

Cortical

Question 25

Name the non vascular structures in the nephron from Bowman’s capsule to Collecting duct.

Answer 25

Bowman’s capsule > Proximal convoluted tubule > Descending limb of Henle > loop of Henle > Ascending limb of Henle > Distal convoluted tubule > collecting duct

Question 26

Name the vascular structures in the nephron from afferent arteriole ->

Answer 26

Afferent arteriole > Glomerus > Efferent artery > vasa recta