Kidneys

Question 1

ahape and colour of the kidney

Answer 1

reddish-brown in colour.

Question 2

what is the main function of the kidney

Answer 2

is to filter and excrete waste products from the blood. They are also responsible for water and electrolyte balance in the body.

Question 3

what is excreted by the kidnys to form urine

Answer 3

Metabolic waste and excess electrolytes

Question 4

desribe the journey of the urine

Answer 4

Urine is transported from the kidneys to the bladder by the ureters. It leaves the body via the urethra, which opens out into the perineum.

Question 5

anatomical postion of the kindey

Answer 5

Fig 1.0 - Overview of the urinary tract. Fig 1.0 – The urinary tract.
The kidneys lie retroperitoneally (behind the peritoneum) in the abdomen, either side of the vertebral column.

They typically extend from T12 to L3, although the right kidney is often situated slightly lower due to the presence of the liver.

Each kidney is approximately three vertebrae in length. This can be used to gauge any changes in size when interpreting radiographs.

The adrenal glands sit immediately superiorly to the kidneys within the renal fascia

Question 6

the kidneys are encased in complex layers of fascia and fat. They are arranged as follows (deep to superficial): what are these layers called and desrive theem

Answer 6

Renal capsule – Tough fibrous capsule.
Perirenal fat – Collection of extraperitoneal fat.
Renal fascia – Encloses the kidneys and the suprarenal glands.
Pararenal fat – Mainly located on the posterolateral aspect of the kidney.

Question 7

In addition to their external coverings, the kidneys have an intricate inner structure. what is this called and what is it diveded into

Answer 7

Internally, the renal parenchyma can be divided into two main areas – the outer cortex and inner medulla. The cortex extends into the medulla, dividing it into triangular shapes – these are known as renal pyramids.

Question 8

what are renal papilla

Answer 8

the apex of a renal pyramid

Question 9

what is each renal papilla associated with and what does thaat structre do

Answer 9

the minor calyx, which collects urine from the pyramids.

Question 10

how does a major calyx form

Answer 10

Several minor calices merge to form a major calyx

Question 11

desrie the journey from pyramid to bladder

Answer 11

minor calyx, which collects urine from the pyramids. Several minor calices merge to form a major calyx. Urine passes through the major calices into the renal pelvis, a flattened and funnel-shaped structure. From the renal pelvis, urine drains into the ureter, which transports it to the bladder for storage.

Question 12

what is the renal hilum and what does it do

Answer 12

The medial margin of each kidney is marked by a deep fissure, known as the renal hilum. This acts as a gateway to the kidney – the renal vessels and ureter enter/exit the kidney via this structure.

Question 13

what is anterior to the left kidney

Answer 13

Suprarenal gland
Spleen
Stomach
Pancreas
Left colic flexure
Jejunum

Question 14

what is anterior to the right kidney

Answer 14

Suprarenal gland
Liver
Duodenum
Right colic flexure

Question 15

what is posteriiro to the left kidney

Answer 15

Diaphragm
11th and 12th ribs
Psoas major, quadratus lumborum and tranversus abdominis
Subcostal, iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves

Question 16

what is posteriiro to the right kidney

Answer 16

Diaphragm
12th rib
Psoas major, quadratus lumborum and tranversus abdominis
Subcostal, iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves

Question 17

lymphatics of the kidney

Answer 17

Lymph from the kidney drains into the lateral aortic nodes, which are located at the origin of the renal arteries.

Question 18

venous drainage of the kidney

Answer 18

The kidneys are drained of venous blood by the left and right renal veins. They leave the renal hilum anteriorly to the renal arteries, and empty directly into the inferior vena cava.

As the vena cava lies slightly to the right, the left renal vein is longer, and travels anteriorly to the abdominal aorta.

Question 19

blood supply of the kindey

Answer 19

renal arteries

Question 20

where does the renal arteriy originate and what is weird about the right renal artery

Answer 20

arise directly from the abdominal aorta, immediately distal to the origin of the superior mesenteric artery. Due to the anatomical position of the abdominal aorta (slightly to the left of the midline), the right renal artery is longer, and crosses the vena cava posteriorly.

Question 21

how does the renal artery enter the vkidney

Answer 21

via the renal hilum, dividing into segmental branches. These branches undergo further divisions to supply the renal parenchyma:

Question 22

gow do we get from the renal vein to the glomeruslus and henceafter the effent arteriloles?

Answer 22

Each segmental artery divides to form interlobar arteries. They are situated either side every renal pyramid.
These interlobar arteries undergo further division to form the arcuate arteries.
At 90 degrees to the arcuate arteries, the interlobular arteries arise.
The interlobular arteries pass through the cortex, dividing one last time to form afferent arterioles.
The afferent arterioles form a capillary network, the glomerulus, where filtration takes place. The capillaries come together to form the efferent arterioles.

Question 23

what is the peritubular network and what does it supply

Answer 23

In the outer two-thirds of the cortex, the efferent arterioles form what is a known as a peritubular network, supplying the nephron tubules with oxygen and nutrients.

Question 24

what is the structure of the vasa recta and what does it supply

Answer 24

The inner third of the cortex and the medulla are supplied by long, straight arteries called vasa recta.