Lab 4: Kidney

Question 1

Which nerves pass posterior to the kidney and are liable to be injured during surgery?

Answer 1

subcostal nerve, ilioinguinal nerve, iliohypogastric nerve

Question 2

which kidney is lower - the right or the left?

Answer 2

the right kidney is slightly lower than the left kidney

Question 3

how is the kidney anatomically categorized?

Answer 3

its outer layer is the renal capsule, the renal cortex is the dark parenchymal tissue layer, the renal medula is the innermost part of the kidney and contains the medullary pyramids , renal lobe - there are 10 renal lobes in each kidney

Question 4

a renal lobe is made up of?

Answer 4

it’s made up of a medullary pyramid and cortical tissue

Question 5

minor calyx fuse into which structure and what is the function of the minor calyx?

Answer 5

they fuse into major calyx, which fuses and forms into the renal pelvis

Question 6

what structures lie within the renal hilus ?

Answer 6

the renal vein, the renal artery and the renal pelvis/ureter

Question 7

name the fascial coverings of thee kidneys

Answer 7

the perirenal fat, the renal fascia and the pararenal fat

Question 8

describe the functions of the fascial coverings

Answer 8

it supports the kidneys, holds them in place on posterior abdominal wall, and limits route for infection spread

Question 9

what makes up the renal pelvis? and where is it located?

Answer 9

the renal pelvis is made from the fusion of 2 -3 major calyces

Question 10

what are renal calculi?

Answer 10

these are kidney stones which may obstruct the renal pelvis. pain may be referred to the lumbar of inguinal regions - loin to groin (T11 - L2)

Question 11

what is hydronephrosis?

Answer 11

urine accumulates in the renal pelvis and in the kidney calyces due to compression of the accessory renal arteries

Question 12

describe nephroptosis

Answer 12

it is the inferior displacement of the kidney, excess weight loss can lead to loss of fascia needed to keep kidney in place

Question 13

describe horseshoe kidney

Answer 13

occurs when lower lobes of the kidneys may become fused during development

Question 14

the renal sinus is defined as

Answer 14

space between the calyces

Question 15

which renal artery is lower and longer?

Answer 15

the right renal artey is lower and longer than the left renal artery which is shorter and higher on the aorta

Question 16

what can cause infarction of the renal tissue?

Answer 16

an occlusion of one of the segmental renal arteries can cause an infarction, since there is minimal communication between these

Question 17

what is the purpose of the urinary system?

Answer 17

this system produces, stores and excretes urine

Question 18

name two hormones produced by the kidney

Answer 18

renin , erythropoietin, Vitamin D

Question 19

what segments of the nephron are located in the cortex?

Answer 19

the glomerulus, the distal and the proximal convoluted tubules

Question 20

what segments are located in the medulla?

Answer 20

the collecting tubules and the collecting ducts

Question 21

what features distinguish the proximal convoluted tubules and the distal convoluted tubules?

Answer 21

the cells in the PCT are larger and contain precipitate in the urine, the cells in the DCT do not contain precipitate ; PCT’s fluid ( isosmotic) and DCT’s fluid (hyperosmotic)

Question 22

name the 2 components of the JGA apparatus, what is its function

Answer 22

macula densa cells regulate blood flow via afferent arterioles; JGA cells secrete renin in response to changes in BP (low BP)

Question 23

These nephron segments both have the similar function - the distal convoluted tubule and the loop of Henle ?

Answer 23

they both reabsorb electrolytes

Question 24

what occurs at the proximal convoluted tubule?

Answer 24

the reabsorption of proteins, glucose, amino acids, water and electrolytes (solutes) and the secretion of cations and anions

Question 25

what occurs at the collecting tubules and the collecting ducts?

Answer 25

the reabsorption of water and electrolytes (principal cells) and the regulation of acid-base balance (intercalated cells )