Lecture 8: Renal Anatomy

Question 1

Kidney location

Answer 1

paired organs in the posterior

Located in the posterior region of the abdominal cavity

Question 2

11/12th rib (2)

Answer 2

1. upper part of kidneys are partially protected by the 11th and 12th ribs
2. 12th rib overlies the parietal pleura medially and the kidney laterally
   - distal tip of left 12th rib can be displaced into retroperitoneum when fractured and lacerate the kidney

Question 3

Costovertebral Angle (3)

Answer 3

1. Angle between the lower boarder of the 12th rib and lateral border of erect spinae or sacrospinalis
2. overlies the lower part of kidney
3. CVA tenderness can indicate the renal pathology

Question 4

Renal Capsule (1)

Answer 4

1. surrounds kidneys

Question 5

renal fascia (2)

Answer 5

1. double layer surrounds fat and capsule

2. fibrous tissue connecting the kidney to the posterior abdominal wall

Question 6

Hilum

Answer 6

1. medical indentation where renal BVs, nerves, lymph vessles and ureter enter and exit the kidney

Question 7

Cortex (2)

Answer 7

1. outer layer of the kidney

2. contains glomeruli, most of the proximal tubules, some segments of distal tubule

Question 8

Medulla

Answer 8

1. Forms inner part of kidney

2. consists of regions called pyramids

Question 9

renal pyramids

Answer 9

site of urine formation

Question 10

columns

Answer 10

extend between renal pyramid (medullary extension of cortex)

• provides structure and anchoring
• consists of blood vessles

Question 11

Renal papilla

Answer 11

urine leaves the renal pyramids through the renal papilla

Question 12

Minor/Major calyces

Answer 12

Apexes of pyramids project into minor calyces and unite to form major calyces

Question 13

Renal pelvis

Answer 13

major calyces join to form renal pelvis which connects with the proximal end of the ureter

Question 14

Nephron

Answer 14

1. functional unit of the kidney
   a. glomerulus
   b. renal tubule

Question 15

Blood flow through kidney

Answer 15

1. blood enters renal artery -> afferent arterioles

Question 16

blood vessles of kidney

Answer 16

1. glomerular capillaries feed into the efferent arterioles which conveys blood to the peritubular capillaries
2. surround the proximal and distal tubules and the loop of henle
   - site of reabsorption and secretion

Question 17

Renal pain

Answer 17

felt in the loin, frequency radiates downward and forward into groin

pain results from stretching of the renal capsule or because of spasm of smooth muscle in renal pelvis

Question 18

referred kidney pain:

obstruction of renal pelvis of proximal ureter

Answer 18

1. renal colic, described as moderate to severe pain often originated in the posterior hypochondrium (flank) and radiated to the groin

Question 19

refered kidney pain:

obstruction in the miduereter

Answer 19

colic that radiated to the lateral flank or lower abdomen

Question 20

Referred Kidney Pain: obstruction of the lower ureter or ureterovesical junction

Answer 20

1. lower UT symptoms
   - urgency, frequent voiding, urge incontince
2. pain can be severe and incapacitating
   - may be accompanies by nausea and vomiting