Kidneys Flashcards
what colour are the kidneys, location in abdomen and type of organs?
bilateral bean-shaped organs
posterior abdomen
They are reddish-brown in colour
main function of kidneys?
to filter and excrete waste products from the blood. They are also responsible for water and electrolyte balance in the body
what do the kidneys excrete and what is formed?
Metabolic waste and excess electrolytes are excreted by the kidneys to form urine
where is urine transported from and where to?
kidneys to bladder
what does urine travel from the kidney to the bladder via?
ureters
where does the urine leave the body via?
urethra
where does the urethra open out into?
perineum
where do the kidneys lie in the abdomen?
retroperitoneally (behind the peritoneum) in the abdomen, either side of the vertebral column
where do the kidneys typically extend from to?
They typically extend from T12 to L3
which kidney is situated lower? why?
the right kidney is often situated slightly lower due to the presence of the liver
how long is each kidney approximately in length?
three vertebrae in length
why is the length of kidneys important?
can be used to gauge any changes in size when interpreting radiographs
what lies anterior to the left kidney?
suprarenal gland spleen stomach pancreas left colic flexure jejunum
what lies posterior to the left kidney?
diaphragm
11th and 12th ribs
psoas major, quadratus lumborum, transverse abdominis muscle
subcostal, iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves
what lies anterior to the right kidney?
suprarenal gland
liver
duodenum
right colic flexure