Kidneys Flashcards
ahape and colour of the kidney
reddish-brown in colour.
what is the main function of the kidney
is to filter and excrete waste products from the blood. They are also responsible for water and electrolyte balance in the body.
what is excreted by the kidnys to form urine
Metabolic waste and excess electrolytes
desribe the journey of the urine
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.
anatomical postion of the kindey
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
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
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.
In addition to their external coverings, the kidneys have an intricate inner structure. what is this called and what is it diveded into
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.
what are renal papilla
the apex of a renal pyramid
what is each renal papilla associated with and what does thaat structre do
the minor calyx, which collects urine from the pyramids.
how does a major calyx form
Several minor calices merge to form a major calyx
desrie the journey from pyramid to bladder
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.
what is the renal hilum and what does it do
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.
what is anterior to the left kidney
Suprarenal gland Spleen Stomach Pancreas Left colic flexure Jejunum
what is anterior to the right kidney
Suprarenal gland
Liver
Duodenum
Right colic flexure
what is posteriiro to the left kidney
Diaphragm
11th and 12th ribs
Psoas major, quadratus lumborum and tranversus abdominis
Subcostal, iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves
what is posteriiro to the right kidney
Diaphragm
12th rib
Psoas major, quadratus lumborum and tranversus abdominis
Subcostal, iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves
lymphatics of the kidney
Lymph from the kidney drains into the lateral aortic nodes, which are located at the origin of the renal arteries.
venous drainage of the kidney
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.
blood supply of the kindey
renal arteries
where does the renal arteriy originate and what is weird about the right renal artery
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.
how does the renal artery enter the vkidney
via the renal hilum, dividing into segmental branches. These branches undergo further divisions to supply the renal parenchyma:
gow do we get from the renal vein to the glomeruslus and henceafter the effent arteriloles?
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.
what is the peritubular network and what does it supply
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.
what is the structure of the vasa recta and what does it supply
The inner third of the cortex and the medulla are supplied by long, straight arteries called vasa recta.
