Kidney anatomy &physiology Flashcards
What is the kidney derived from
Derived from the MESODERM
Position in abdomen
Retroperitoneal
Between which vertebrae
Between T12 & L3
Why is right kidney lower than the left kidney
Right kidney is lower than than the left since its pushed down by the liver
What level is the hilum of the right kidney
Hilum of right kidney: at L2
What level is the hilum of the left kidney
Hilum of left kidney: at L1 (transpyloric plane)
Three distinct structures from out till in
Three distinct structures (from outside in); cortex, medulla & pelvis
How thick is is cortex in a healthy adult
Cortex: should be 7mmthick in a healthy adult
whats in the medulla of the kidney
Medulla: Consists of 20 upside down pyramids
loop of henle & collecting ducts
What is in the pelvis of the kidney
Pelvis: Contains fat & urine collecting system
Histology of kidney pelvis
transitional epithelium
What is within the cortex
Composed of renal corpuscles (glomerulus & bowan’s capsule) and the proximal & distal (PCT & DCT respectively)convoluted tubules
Within the cortex is the medullary ray - a collection of loop of Henle tubules (they CONCENTRATE URINE using a countercurrent multiplier system) and collecting ducts that originate from the nephrons which have their renal corpusclesin the outer part of the cortex
essentially:proximal & distal convoluted tubules & renal corpuscles (consists of the glomerulus & bowman capsule)
what give the cortex its striated appearance
medullary rays
Where does the renal artery come off the abdominal artery
and then what
The renal artery comes off the abdominal aorta at L1
It then divides into segmental arteries which then lead to a radial network of arcuate arteries
How do the arcuate arteries travel
The arcuate arteries travel circumferentially(around) at the junction between the cortex & medulla and then give off interlobar arteries
What do the interlobular arteries supply
Interlobar arteries supply each lobe (a medullary pyramid and the overlying cortex) and then divide to form interlobular arteries which then terminate in the form of afferent arterioles
Whats in the pelvis of the kidney
receives the collecting ducts
who many nephrons in total
Have around2 million nephrons in total (1 million in each kidneys)
5 components of the nephron
Composed of 5 distinct segments each with their own specific function:
- Renal corpuscle - the filter
- Proximal convoluted tubule - for reabsorbing solutes
- Loop of henle: for concentrating urine
- Distal convoluted tubule - for reabsorbing more water and solutes
- Collecting duct - for reabsorbing water and controlling acid base & ion balance
the distal convoluted tubule comes back up and meets with the same glomerulus
Function of Renal Corpuscle
The filter
Function of proximal convoluted tubule
For reabsorbing solutes
Function of Loop of henle
For concentrating urine
Function of Distal convoluted tubule
For reabsorbing more water and solutes
Function of collecting
for reabsorbing water and controlling acid base and ion balance