Kidney: Stability, Surface Anatomy, And Applied Anatomy

Question 1

Stability

Answer 1

Factors keeping Kidney in position:
1. Position in Paravertebral gutter
2. Coverings
3. Renal vessels
4. Intraabdominal pressure
5. Apposition of neighboring viscera

Question 2

Surface anatomy

Answer 2

1. Projected to posterior abdominal wall
2. Projected to anterior abdominal wall

Question 3

Projected to posterior abdominal wall

Answer 3

Kidney lies in a rectangle (morris parallelogram) drawn on back as follows:
1. Upper and lower horizontal lines: drawn opposite 11th thoracic and 3rd lumbar spines
2. Medial and lateral vertical lines: drawn 1 inch and 3 inches from median plane
3. Hilum: 2 inches from middle line at 1st lumbar spine level

Question 4

Projected to anterior abdominal wall

Answer 4

Upper end lies 1 inch, Hilum 2 inches, and lower end 3 inches from median plane:
1. Hilum: lies in Transpyloric plane (L1)
2. Upper end: 2 inches above Hilum
3. Lower end: 2 inches below Hilum in subcostal, opposite 3rd lumbar vertebra

Question 5

Applied anatomy: Renal pain

Answer 5

1. Sympathetic fibers carry pain sensations from kidney to spinal cord 10th, 11th, and 12th thoracic segments so renal pain is felt along these segments distribution (mainly T12)
2. It is commonly felt in flank and may radiate downwards into lower abdomen
3. Renal pain can result from kidney capsule stretching or spasm of renal pelvis smooth muscles